BlueStacks, an Android emulator for Windows, hits 10 million downloads

BlueStacks, an app that allows users to run Android apps on desktop PCs, laptops or Windows tablets, claims to have passed 10 million downloads, with 4.2 million devices using the software to access the internet.

In a statement, the company claims that if it were a hardware manufacturer it would be the second largest large-screen Android manufacturer behind Samsung and ahead of Asus.

While it’s an apples and oranges comparison – Samsung’s installed base comes from people spending at least $200 per device on a tablet as opposed to BlueStacks users who download a free piece of software for their PC – it does suggest a growing demand for Android apps in a desktop PC environment.

BlueStacks initially launched its app player for PCs in March of last year, adding a Mac version in June and a special version for Microsoft’s Surface tablet in February of this year.

The App Player also comes pre-bundled on devices sold by Lenovo, Asus, MSI and others.

“We’re seeing exponential gains in adoption and active usage over the past few months especially,” chief executive Rosen Sharma says.

“Now we’re working on this idea of how we can take this technology and bring mobile content to other types of devices.

“Generation M has grown up with mobile games and expect to enjoy those on all platforms. Gaming has emerged as a strong use case for us.”