Android apps to run on non-Androids

The intriguing idea of running Google Android applications on non-Android phones is about to become a reality, courtesy of Myriad, a Z"urich-based mobile applications software company, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

At the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Spain, the company will demonstrate its Alien Dalvik virtual machine solution, which enables phones running other mobile operating systems to use Android software.

The approach could be useful to consumers who own devices for which applications are limited, as well as help Android developers and carriers widen their audiences and boost revenues.

Telecom network equipment-maker Ericsson has partnered with Aditya Birla Group firm Idea Cellular for the latter's online applications store, reveals The Hindu.

Under the contract, Ericsson would be responsible for complete end-to-end service management of the online applications store, including technical operations, content eco-system partner management and testing and usability, besides business operations, Ericsson said in a statement.

“Allowing our business operations team to manage all relations and contracts and taking advantage of our existing partnerships with content aggregators and application developers, Idea is gaining a great business opportunity in the mobile applications market,” Ericsson's India head, Gowton Achaibar, said.

Software giant Microsoft has availed its Office Web Apps in India, which will allow users to access applications like Word, Excel and PowerPoint for free, writes the Business Standard.

Users can access Office Web Apps, the online companions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for free using their Windows Live ID on the SkyDrive or Hotmail, Microsoft India said in a statement.

This will allow users to create, view, edit, and share Office documents from anywhere with an Internet connection, Microsoft said.