Microsoft cooks up way to run Windows 10 on Android devices

Microsoft has crafted its own technology that can transform Android phones into Windows 10 devices.

While announcing the summer launch of Windows 10, Microsoft also revealed on Tuesday an agreement with Chinese mobile device maker Xiaomi. Under the plan, some owners of the Xiaomi Mi 4, an Android smartphone, will be able to install and test the Windows 10 Technical Preview in order to provide feedback to Microsoft.

So just how will people be able to install Windows 10 on an Android device? Through a custom-based ROM, TechCrunch reported Wednesday. Such ROMs (read-only memory), which are essentially installable images of an operating system, are typically used to overwrite a device's existing OS with a customized one. For example, CyanogenMod offers a customized Android ROM that can replace the Android build that comes with a device. In this case, the flashed ROM would override Android, thereby transforming the device into a full-fledged Windows 10 phone outfitted with the necessary Microsoft services.

Read more...