Microsoft is teaming up with LG Electronics Inc., Sony
Corporation and 18 other companies to ensure its Office and Skype apps come
preloaded onto their Android-powered tablet devices.
The deal will see that Microsoft’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
OneNote, OneDrive and Skype apps are pre-loaded on all new tablets sold by the
companies, which include 18 regional manufacturers such as China’s Haier Group,
Brazil’s Positivo Informática and Germany’s Wortman AG.
The deal underlines just how determined Microsoft is to make
its mark on the Android system in light of the relatively low adoption of its
own Windows Phone and Windows-powered tablets.
“Our strategic agreements with these partners demonstrate
how Microsoft is leveraging the scale of the hardware ecosystem, and working
with partners in new ways to deliver rich experiences to our customers,” said
Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Original Equipment
Manufacturer division, in a statement.
Parker said this was the cornerstone of Microsoft’s new
cross-platform services strategy, which is designed to bring Microsoft’s
services to every kind of device.
“By pre-installing Microsoft software and services solutions
on Android tablets, our partners are able to increase the value of those
devices by delivering the rich productivity experiences customers want,” Parker
added.
For starters, Microsoft’s apps will be loaded onto Sony’s
Xperia Z4 tablet within the next 90 days, the company said. In addition, the
apps will also be shipped with an as yet unnamed LG tablet.
Microsoft’s announcement comes just days before Google holds
its annual I/O event, and hints at the possibility of an LG-built Nexus device
taking center stage there.
Earlier this year, Microsoft said its Office and Skype apps
would also come pre-loaded on tablets from Dell Inc. and Samsung.
The annoucement also comes just a day after Microsoft said
it was planning to bring its Cortana digital voice assistant to both Android
and iOS, in a bid to make its product more relavant on competing platforms.
Cortana will land on Android and iOS devices as part of a new service called
Windows Phone Companion, which is aimed to make Windows 10 play nice with
smartphones running alternative OS’s.
Source From:- http://siliconangle.com/
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