How Can I Use Apps On A Windows Pc?

[gen2]

Since I retired 7 years ago, I feel I have slipped out of touch with current trends in technology.
Several people have said to me "I did it with this app" (or 'that app').
I do not have an i-pad, i-phone or i-anything, just an old laptop and a desktop running Windows 7.

I therefore wondered if there is an easy way that lets me download and run an 'app' on my desktop?
Do I need an Android Emulator? How well do they work? Will the apps integrate with other software on my PC?

What has particularly caught my eye are a few filter apps for use with i-phone camera images. Can I get them to work with images that I have loaded into GIMP on my PC?

Any suggestions appreciated.

[VHG]

Windows 8 has added the ability to download apps, but they have to be apps written for Windows and not iphone, android etc.

My guess is many people will soon start porting their apps across from iphone and andrioid to the Windows 8 platform (if they have not done so already).

[Answerprancer]

An "app" is just another (irritating IMO) term for a 'computer program'.
Just ask about what you want to do with your desktop and someone will be able to advise you about what to get.
Gimp probably has these filter functions and if so, they're probably better.

[Answerprancer]

...btw, if Gimp doesn't have something like this as standard, you could probably get a "plug in" (to use with Gimp) that will do the job.

[cusabio2]

Yes, it is just another (irritating IMO) term for a 'computer program'.
Just ask about what you want to do with your desktop and someone will be able to advise you about what to get www.cusabio.com/pro_3.html (antibody).
Gimp probably has these filter functions and if so, they're probably better.

[gen2]

Thanks everyone.
I was fully aware what an App was and that as Apps are written for other operating systems, I don't expect them to work on a different platform.

I was just asking if there was an emulator that could be run on Windows 7 that would allow apps to run, and if so, how well it worked.

It would appear not. Thanks for trying anyway. I'll just stick with GIMP filters for now.