title: How do I run Android's .apk files on linux without the Android emulator?
body: <p>I have a requirement, where I need to install the .apk files directly on my host PC, without the Android emulator. I want to install it directly on my Linux machine (x86 arch). I have a few noob questions with regard to the same:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>How is an .apk file organized?
  <ul>
  <li>Is it just one big binary file?
  <ul>
  <li>In this case, if I am using a phone with an x86 atom processor, does this mean that there will be a separate Android market segment which hosts apps ported to the x86 arch?</li>
  </ul></li>
  <li>Is it an archive consisting of executables? (something like .rpm or .deb).
  <ul>
  <li>If so, then what is the format of the archive?</li>
  <li>If so, do they have different .apk files for different architectures (x86, ARM, etc.).</li>
  <li>If not, then how is it orgranized?</li>
  </ul></li>
  </ul></li>
  <li>What are the requirements to run the .apk file directly on my Linux PC running on x86 arch?</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>I do not have a very good background of Android and the .apk files, hence these questions.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks and regards,  </p>
  
  <p>Hrishikesh Murali</p>