Android's AVD emulator

For those who don't know what this is, it's a bunch of software and API's that Android release for developers to allow them to emulate Android phones on their computer for testing purposes.

But yeah, anyone ever got this to work? I can never actually get anything to run correctly, I create a Android Virtual Device (AVD), mimic the specs of a phone like the Galaxy S3, or Nexus 7, then I run it, and the emulator appears, but loads with the "Android" logo forever...

Also, anyone ever actually use this, or could recommend another method of testing on different devices when you don't have the money? <img src="smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

Thanks!

Yeah it's not really handy...

Actually the loading eventually finishes, but after a WHILE, like 5mn or more for me (and then it's painfully slow - unless you have a supercalculator)

You could try Blue Stacks if you don't need a full emulator, as it's the only thing that seems to run some apps sort of smoothly

(it adds a bunch of garbage background processes to your startup if you keep it installed...)

Also check out Manymo, which sounds interesting...although I didn't have much success with it

Anyway I guess the best options is still real devices...

Hey thanks! I'll take a look at these :)