The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) technology, which allows users to run Android apps on Windows 11, has received support for DRM-protected high-resolution video streaming.
This update comes as part of Windows 11’s effort to offer a variety of features, including support for Android apps, to its customers.
BlueStacks
BlueStacks, a tool commonly used to run mobile apps or games on the desktop operating system, is a popular choice for accessing Android apps on Windows 11. However, while BlueStacks is frequently used for gaming, it does not offer a native-like experience for all applications.
The addition of DRM-protected high-resolution video streaming support to WSA may provide users with a more seamless experience for streaming content on their Windows devices.
Microsoft Working to Address Streaming Limitations
The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) technology, which allows users to run Android apps on Windows 11, is currently limited in its video streaming capabilities. Microsoft is working to address these limitations and improve the overall streaming experience for users.
Improved Performance and DRM-Protected Streaming
- WSA technology allows users to run Android apps on Windows 11
- Currently limited in video streaming capabilities
- Microsoft addressing performance issues and enabling DRM-protected streaming support in coming months
- Updates not yet available to the public
WSA provides deep integration with Android apps, allowing them to behave like native Windows apps and allowing users to download and install popular streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
However, not all DRM-protected content can currently be played in the Android container, and there are also performance concerns when streaming videos via WSA.
In a reply to a feature request for Hardware DRM/Widevine L1 support, Microsoft engineer Hamza Usmani noted that the company is already considering this request and is working on new features to address these issues. It is not yet clear when these updates will be available to the public.
WSA Receives Major Update with Android 13 Support
The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), a technology that allows users to run Android apps on Windows 11, has received a major update with Android 13 support.
This update brings a variety of new features and improvements to the WSA, including a command line command for scheduling shutdowns, faster boot performance, mouse click input, clipboard stability, app resizing, improved Intel bridge technology, and faster media file opening.
Features
New features include
- command line command for scheduling shutdowns
- faster boot performance
- mouse click input
- clipboard stability
- app resizing
- improved Intel bridge technology
- faster media file opening
Requirements
Devices must meet certain requirements to run WSA and Android apps on Windows 11, including
- 8GB of RAM
- Intel Core i3 8th Generation processor or higher
- Ryzen 3000 or higher
- Snapdragon 8c or higher, and an SSD
Users can access Android apps on Windows 11 through the Microsoft Store and the Amazon Appstore