BlueStacks Update

The latest version of BlueStacks (2.4.44) requires the user to log in to Google during the initial setup. This was previously optional, with a One Time Setup screen being displayed from time to time: this screen is now gone, as is the Welcome screen, with the result that the new setup procedure is more predictable and the overall user experience is cleaner. Performance and stability have also been improved steadily over the last few months.

Note: The Google account is not logged out when BlueStacks is closed, so users should consider manually disconnecting their Google account when using BlueStacks on a shared machine: go to Settings - Accounts - Google and select Remove account from the dropdown menu in the top right. Alternatively, a school may choose to create a dedicated Google account for use with BlueStacks, and leave that account logged into all instances of BlueStacks. Students would still use their individual Google accounts with App Inventor.

For more information about Bluestacks, refer to this earlier post.