Imagine if you could run Android on any existing PC. Imagine bringing the mobility and functionality of your smartphone to your PC. Now, Imagine if you had the familiar interface of a Windows or Mac PC along with the functionality of an Android smartphone. With all this and more, Jide Technology, a company founded by three ex-Googlers, is all set to release a very special new operating system called Remix OS for PC. As the name suggests, this seems to be an ultimate remix of various operating sysytems, under one roof. Remix OS will work on an array of Intel-based PCs, including even some Macs. The Remix OS will give users access to Android's 1.6 million strong app library. It will also give users an option of booting with the Remix OS or the original OS natively installed on the user's machine. The Remix OS can also be housed on a USB pendrive, which can be plugged into and installed on any PC powered by x86 chipsets. x86 is a family of backward compatible instruction set architectures, based on the Intel 8086 CPU and its Intel 8088 variant. The architecture has been implemented in processors from Intel, Cyrix, AMD, VIA and many other companies. So, according to Jide Technology, most computers today run on x86 chipsets, which will make the installation of the operating system extremely easy.
Termed as 'Android re-engineered for PC', the Remix OS for PC is a custom engineered version of Android Lollipop and Remix OS 2.0. Minimum requirements of running the Remix OS include- A USB 3.0 flash drive that supports FAT32 format, with a minimum capacity of 8GB and a recommended writing speed of 20MB/s along with a PC with USB legacy boot option.
As far as some of the features of Remix OS 2.0 are concerned, the UI will include a taskbar for Android to help users switch between apps with the touch of an icon or click of a mouse. The taskbar will come with a Start Menu (which resembles a Windows 10 Start Menu) and a system Tray for accessing system settings. Notifications will appear from the right side of your desktop. For those on a device with a touchscreen, a swipe will bring up the notifications menu, while an icon on the System Tray will allow notification access with the click of a mouse.
Remix OS also comes compatible with various keyboard shortcuts. So, shortcuts like CTRL+N to create a new document to CTRL+S to save it, will help navigate various apps on a PC. Users will also get the right-click facility on a mouse, which will bring up additional features on a particular app. On the software front, Remix OS will have a File Manager, Office for Android, and Google Play support. According to Jide, the Remix OS 2.0 is built on three core design principles- Simplicity, intuition & vitality. The company says, "Inspirations from dynamic forces such as air, water, and light have been intricately weaved into each and every pixel of Remix OS 2.0 so as to make your experience with it that much more alive."
We will definitely test out Remix OS when it launches. Remix OS will be free to download starting January 12 and all future updates for the OS will also be free of cost. Tell us what you think of Remix OS and keep watching this space for more.