14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just signed a deal with Cyanogen to pre-install apps such as Skype, OneDrive, and OneNote on its custom Android ROM.
The two companies announced the partnership a few minutes ago, explaining that together they can improve the user experience on Cyanogen OS and offer an easier way to access a number of Microsoft services, including the ones mentioned above, as well as Bing and Outlook.
The agreement seems to be a big win for Microsoft, as Cyanogen will thus “integrate and distribute Microsoft’s consumer apps and services across core categories,” as the press release states, while the Redmond-based tech giant will “create native integrations on Cyanogen OS.”
In other words, Microsoft’s apps will be there in Cyanogen OS, and Redmond’s sole responsibility is to make sure that these work as they should.
“People around the world use Cyanogen's operating system and popular Microsoft services to engage with what matters most to them on their mobile devices,” said Kirt McMaster, CEO of Cyanogen Inc. “This exciting partnership with Microsoft will enable us to bring new kinds of integrated services to mobile users in markets around the world.”
Negotiations behind closed doors
While no other terms of the deal have been revealed, this wouldn’t be the first time when Cyanogen and Microsoft are involved in negotiations regarding a possible partnership.
Microsoft was, in fact, believed to be one of the companies that could take over Cyanogen, but both sides denied the speculation on this shortly after it emerged in early 2014. Microsoft, on the other hand, was only interested in making its apps available to more users on Android, so today’s deal seems to be the right move to achieve its goal without actually spending too much money for it.
Similar partnership with Samsung
Cyanogen is not the first company that decides to bundle Microsoft software in its platform, as the Redmond-based tech firm has signed similar partnerships with other companies too, including South Korean manufacturer Samsung.
As a result, Samsung agreed to install Microsoft apps on its S6 flagship phone model, so apps such as OneDrive, Skype, and OneNote are now available to all those who purchase the new device. That doesn’t necessarily mean that these apps would be there, however, as some US carriers are now removing them from the Galaxy S6 before selling them to customers.
In the meantime, bringing its apps on Android seems to be Microsoft’s strategic plan to increase the customer appeal of its own mobile platform, hoping that a fully integrated experience would make those who love its apps switch to Windows Phone.
Right now, Android is the leading mobile platform in the world, followed by iOS, and Windows Phone. Microsoft, however, is working on Windows 10 for phones already, which is expected to debut in the second half of 2015.