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Popular Android emulator BlueStacks received a new beta build earlier this week, with its latest experimental version being based on Android Nougat. The move marks the first update to the emulator since BlueStacks 3 was released with a new engine and design last July, though the company has yet to clarify which specific variant of Nougat is its solution emulating. As was the case with previous iterations of the software, the latest one is advertised as the ultimate platform for experiencing Android apps and games on a PC without major trade-offs.
Besides a jump to a new operating system version, BlueStacks N also comes with a significantly revised HyperG Graphics System which the firm initially debuted as part of BlueStacks 3. The framework is now said to be capable of taking full advantage of the graphics technologies supported by Android 7.X Nougat. In practice, the advancement should lead to a crisper image and higher framerates, both of which will be achieved in a more efficient manner, so it’s possible players will get better performance out of Android games while putting less of a strain on their Windows-powered computers. The improvement is understood to be exclusive to BlueStacks N and won’t be made available in BlueStacks 3. The company claims “some” games will be up to 30 percent faster while leveraging the processor as much as 20 percent more efficiently. Real-world usage likely won’t yield such major advancements but the overall package should still run better than BlueStacks 3. The software firm claims its latest solution is specifically targeted at emulating “hardcore mobile games” on Windows PCs while still providing users with all of the features found in previous versions of the emulator. Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, King of Avalon, Marvel: Future Fight, Dawn of Revenge, Lineage II: Revolution, and Art of Conquest are just some of the Android games for which BlueStacks was specifically optimized.
The beta version of BlueStacks N is only available to premium Windows PCs powered by Intel CPUs with virtualization capabilities. The stable build of the platform that’s meant to roll out later this year will also support AMD-made processors and a wider range of computers, the company said. No specific windows for the conclusion of the beta test have yet been provided but an update on the situation will follow “shortly.” In the meantime, users with compatible PCs can download the first beta build of BlueStacks N or find out if they’re eligible to do so by referring to the banner below.
Download BlueStacks Nougat Beta