Install Google Store Apps to Windows 7 desktop what is the best way

[loninappleton]

I am in need of using an App with no Smartphone or much of anything else besides Windows 7 on the desktop.


" Here is a brief breakout of one of the instruction how to sites I have located so far:
There are multiple such Android Emulators available in the market. Some popular ones include NOX, Bluestacks, and Andyroid. You can download any of these Emulators to download Google Play Store on your computer. We are guiding you with the steps with reference to Bluestacks.

Read more at: How To Download And Install Google Play Store On Laptop And PCs - Gizbot News




[unquote]




The point is I'm looking for anyone who has gone further than this and actually knows which is a good 'emulator' to use. Did mention I have no cell phone? Several emulators are named in the

article at gizbot but I know nothing of the App world and Android emulators.

 

[samuria]

It depends what sort of all you want to use and if it uses hardware like camera

 

[Barman58]

Also these emulators are at best below average performers, and most are likely to cause crashes and other issues including BSOD

 

[loninappleton]

this is an app that works with a grocery-- in this case Walamart- to allow access to Food Share EBT
card. In other words, it opens a keypad (I think-- that was in the graphics) to supply a pin number for curbside pickup.

 

[loninappleton]

Crashes are not good. I may have to wait until more efficient means are found to get my groceries via EBT.
However I'm willing to risk a crash if you cn provide some method and emulator.

 

[Snick]

loninappleton

Have a look at these
Walmart Grocery Pickup Accepts SNAP EBT Payments ...
SNAP Online - Walmart.com
How do I place an order using my EBT card - Walmart.com
Customers Using SNAP Benefits Have More Ways to Shop

Snick

 

[loninappleton]

Hello,


I am registered with Walmart. I have an order ready. Lots of hangups with what sort of technology
to use. I've had chats via online help. It all points to Apps since I have no cell phone. Not here, not anywhere and and I'm not likelly to change over this. I've scouted the pickup location at the local Wallys I use as well. But during the curbside I've only used credit card to pay. Other markets have been more friendly than all this online remote control stuff. My draw on EBT is small since I have some savings yet. But it's accumulating with lack of an outlet. And yes I contacted the State on this as well.





So what about Bluetack or whatever it is? I thought Sevenforums would have met problems like this
much earlier.

 

[Barman58]

The main issue with emulators for Mobile Operating Systems is the lack of the Base code to those making the emulator. Apple and Google are quite strict about letting code out into the programming world. This means that Emulator developers have to hack the OS themselves, which is always a less that ideal method of finding the information they need

They both provide enough of their Input/Output Code to allow programmers to write apps to use the OS on the phone, but to write an emulator needs a much greater access. The best solution would be if Apple/Google actually provided their own emulator, which would allow apps to run on non native Phones/Tablets Etc, but even this would hit problems with access to the codebase of Windows / OSX (less so for apple of course).

One solution that I would suggest you consider is that you can run a Cell Phone without the use of a SIM card that provides chargeable Phone Services. It may be possible to purchase a used old handset, cheaply, that would allow you to use exclusively for running apps like the Walmart one, (these are becoming the normal way of trading these days)

 

[Alejandro85]

If you don't care too much about speed, running the real Android on a virtual machine can be an option. Install an hypervisor (I suggest VirtualBox), then download the ISO file of Android x86, create a VM within VirtualBox and run Android within it.
In that environment you can run literally any Android program you would normally. Not the best of methods but for some programs it'll work well enough.
Here is a tutorial with some help for doing the installation, if you decide to go this route.

 

[loninappleton]

Or they could just give me cash back at EBT. I have explored the low income cell phone offers from
the county human services office. That ties you into something that can break or lose. Simply put, I just don't want any. This may sound strage at a tech forum. I Have no cable tv either.



Thanks for the detailed information on emulators. The VMware suggestion is an idea and I will look at the
tutorial. I have a grocery ordering PC on the home net that has enough disk space on it. There's few months to figure that out. The deal with food share is that if you don't use the funds they will start making adjustments to your account. As it stands they feel ok with banking the unused amount so far.


I think you are right about mobile devices being the standard method of trade. Since the panademic I haven't spent a dollar of cash.

 

[Snick]

loninappleton

Unless you have a fast computer & lots of RAM, VMWare Workstation Player and VirtualBox run at a snail's pace. I have a quad core AMD & running an app or Operating System in it is very slow. Basically you are running a computer within your computer. Neither are simple to install either. My experience.

From what I read on the links I provided, you register your EBT card the same way you would a Credit Card with Walmart. When you arrive to pick up your curbside-delivery, you swipe your EBT card as you would a Credit Card to pay or pay online via that payment method. As you are probably aware, all items are not necessarily permitted via EBT payment.

I'm going to Walmart, Woodhaven, Michigan later today to pick up Medications. I'll check with the appropriate staff and get back with you.

 

[loninappleton]

If you don't care too much about speed, running the real Android on a virtual machine can be an option. Install an hypervisor (I suggest VirtualBox), then download the ISO file of Android x86, create a VM within VirtualBox and run Android within it.
In that environment you can run literally any Android program you would normally. Not the best of methods but for some programs it'll work well enough.
Here is a tutorial with some help for doing the installation, if you decide to go this route.

Perhaps a new subject on this since I would have many questions.


The first one is: Do I need to reformat my Win7 NTFS order machine for Virtual Box Android for the

Linux partition? I recall some of this from years ago. I did try to use Linux for a period of months but
threw up my hands.

The Virtual Box has to be available all the time so installing to a small HD or SSD from stuff on my
shelf would not work well with all the comm necessary for these orders.


So that's the first question.


Are there any Linux dedicated Live CDs for this?

 

[loninappleton]

loninappleton

Unless you have a fast computer & lots of RAM, VMWare Workstation Player and VirtualBox run at a snail's pace. I have a quad core AMD & running an app or Operating System in it is very slow. Basically you are running a computer within your computer. Neither are simple to install either. My experience.

From what I read on the links I provided, you register your EBT card the same way you would a Credit Card with Walmart. When you arrive to pick up your curbside-delivery, you swipe your EBT card as you would a Credit Card to pay or pay online via that payment method. As you are probably aware, all items are not necessarily permitted via EBT payment.

I'm going to Walmart, Woodhaven, Michigan later today to pick up Medications. I'll check with the appropriate staff and get back with you.

Yes I garnered most of this from my various chats with staffs. I was unable for instance after several tries to simply place a phone call to the customer service desk at the one (of two) in the Fox Valley.


The wrinkle for using any of these curbside features is the lack of rather than advantage of
any contact. My regular market called Festival Foods has EBT as does the Woodmans which you may have up in Michigan. It's the lack of being able to complete the transaction with a wireless card reader
that is the bottleneck. I have madse the request repeatedly at these supermarkets but their helpline
is mostly for food question.



Some day, I'll try the main site again and see of my phone number works. It would be nice if
the workewr who answered reported it as a problem. I don't know if the service is meant for smartphone only.



So that's why I'd appreciate anythng you find out. I simply have not had an effective way to even
speak to a warm body at the customer service line at the store.

 

[Snick]

loninappleton

Quote: "It's the lack of being able to complete the transaction with a wireless card reader
that is the bottleneck." Unquote

You don't even need to use a wireless card reader!

You login to Walmart on your computer and add your EBT card as you would a credit card, then select food which goes in your cart, select pickup food time and checkout?

I can do that with my credit or debit cards. The phone contact is optional.

The pickup times are by day then by hour. If you arrive a few minutes early, you should be good to go!

Have you tried that?

I'm sure that the Walmart Associate at the door would be able to assist you when you arrive if need be. Yes? No? Maybe?

See Screenshots below

 

[loninappleton]

I have made an account with everything on it. I'll see how far I cn get in a checkout but I think the 'same
mobole access' will happen. Not going to do it immediately.

 

[Snick]

I have made an account with everything on it. I'll see how far I can get in a checkout but I think the 'same
mobile access' will happen. Not going to do it immediately.

Don't see why your Walmart Account would be/perform any different than mine. I order online from them quite often, not food yet though, but I have had several deliveries and pickups. I don't have a cell-phone, used to, don't need one now.

A Grocery order by you should produce the same screens as I posted earlier.
I didn't proceed to checkout, however, I believe it should work for you.

Snick