Download.it search icon
Advertisement

Tool for Android application developers which allows apps to be tested from a Chrome browser

Tool for Android application developers which allows apps to be tested from a Chrome browser

Vote: (7 votes)

Program license: Full Version

Developer: ARC-eng

Version: 54.5021.651.0

Vote:

Program license

(7 votes)

Full Version

Developer

Version

ARC-eng

54.5021.651.0

Pros

  • Great for testing out Android software before submitting it to the Play Store
  • The only Android emulator developed by Google

Cons

  • Inconsistent performance depending on the app being run

ARC Welder allows you to upload files of popular apps that run on Android devices and make them work on your laptop or desktop directly using the Chrome browser. Development on Android used to be something of a trial, and it could dissuade developers from porting their games and other apps over from the more seamless and flimsy iOS operating system. ARC Welder provides a solution by allowing developers the opportunity to test their apps before deployment by running them directly through their browser. It also allows curious fans to test out new software without having to download it directly to their phone. It's an inventive and simple way to create cross-compatibility between phones and more standard computers, but it does come with some limitations. Still, if you're looking to run an Android app on your computer, it may be the best option around.

ARC Welder isn't the first Android emulator around. In fact, the creation of software that allows you to run Android apps on other devices has become something of a cottage industry in recent years. While Bluestacks has largely led the pack in terms of development, alternatives like Andy Android Emulator and Youwave have grown quickly from passion products of their creators into popular products in their own right that have been eagerly embraced by Android owners and served as the source of enthusiastic fan and development communities. But ARC Welder is the only one of these emulators created by Google, and it comes with a range of features that makes it less a simple emulator and more a debugging tool for developers. If you're looking to get your app out on the market but you're worried about hitting snags along the way, ARC Welder is one of the best tools available to you.

What's especially appealing about the ARC Welder platform is how easy it is to use. Rather than working as a standalone application, it can essentially run as an extension of your Google Chrome browser. That means that you don't need to boot up a separate program to run it. You can access it directly from the main interface of your Chrome browser. ARC Welder runs anything in APK format. And just because it's designed with developers in mind doesn't mean that it's useful exclusively for them. More dedicated apps like Bluestacks can be bloated and inconsistent with the software they run. There are no unnecessary apps or additional bells and whistles when you run ARC Welder, making it a useful tool when you're looking to test out a game that isn't yet available in your region or looking to test out a piece of software before installing it on your phone. It also works across any platform that can run Chrome, so you can test out Android software whether you're on a PC, a Mac, or a Linux machine.

Pros

  • Great for testing out Android software before submitting it to the Play Store
  • The only Android emulator developed by Google

Cons

  • Inconsistent performance depending on the app being run

This download is no longer available. This could be due to the program being discontinued, having a security issue or for some other reason.

You might be interested in downloading these alternatives: