Microsoft has put the dreams of Lumia users running Android to a halt with its latest update.
When Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 10 came to mobile, it excited Windows Phone fans by offering a variety of useful features and security measures. The OS also had the same effect on Android fans with a Windows Phone because it came along with an Android subsystem that lets users run Android apps on Windows 10 Mobile.
People speculated that Windows Phones would soon be able to run on Android because of the subsystem, and talented individuals proved it to be possible. However, upon finding out about the loophole, Microsoft immediately released a security patch that prevents Windows phones from running Android two weeks before Windows 10 Mobile goes official. It is also no longer possible on current preview builds.
Even though Windows is presumably more secure than Android, some users still attempt to install Android on Windows Phones. For curiosity's sake, WMPoweruser features a Lumia 830 that runs Android Lollipop 5.0.2. To exploit this bug, users will need more than ordinary tools that the usual hacker uses, as it requires certain proprietary tools that only Microsoft has.
Windows phones can still run Android apps using Project Astoria, but the Android OS can no longer be installed on them. Also, Android apps may work differently because they are, after all, running within the confines of a Windows environment.
This is not a big issue though because it is better to buy an Android phone instead of forcing an Android OS on a Windows Phone, not to mention that the variety of Android phones range from budget to high-end models and more units come to the market on a yearly basis. Also, Microsoft is working hard on Windows 10 Mobile, ironing out kinks and bugs and designing it partly based on user feedback, so Windows Phone fans can expect a stable and noteworthy OS.
Photo: Robert Scoble | Flickr
