Microsoft has been partnering with several manufacturers to bring its products and services to more consumers. The software giant is also making peace with some of its biggest rivals like Google by dropping lawsuits and ending a patent battle. Last year, it made a deal with Asus to strengthen a patent licensing agreement. This time, the Redmond company is working on strategic agreements with local partners and OEMs that will have them pre-install Skype, OneDrive, and Microsoft Office apps on Android devices.
Microsoft proudly announced that they have a total of 74 hardware partners based in 25 countries. These companies agreed to bring Microsoft services and apps to their phones and tablets powered by Android. Some of the latest models that will have the Microsoft apps include the Sony Xperia Z4, Samsung Galaxy S6, and the LG G Pad 2.
Another important tech partner is Acer. The two aim to expand global partnership by pre-installing Microsoft applications on the latest Android devices made by Acer.
“We’re pleased that we have been able to enhance the already strong partnership that exists between Microsoft and Acer. Mutually beneficial and collaborative agreements such as this one promote innovation and lead to better products and experiences for consumers,” President of Microsoft Technology Licensing Nick Psyhogeos shared.
Out of the box, the Android phones and tablets will have Microsoft Office, Outlook, OneNote, Skype, and OneDrive pre-installed on some models. As Microsoft commits to licensing intellectual property and as long as brands are actually responding, there won’t be any problem with the IP licensing program.
Expect no more patent-related lawsuits to be filed by Microsoft against other device manufacturers. You’ll only find more Android devices that have pre-loaded MS apps.
SOURCE: Microsoft
Android OEMs teaming up with Microsoft, would actually make me rules out buying their products. Like they don’t pre-install enough crap of their own without more bloatware!