One more device to come with Microsoft apps pre-installed

Nov 24, 2016 08:27 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is very committed to its beyond-Windows expansion plans, and as part of its strategy, the software giant is trying to bring more of its apps on Android devices sold worldwide.

As a result, the software giant signed licensing deals with an important number of Android device manufacturers, including market leader Samsung, so apps such as Skype, Word, or Outlook are available right out of the box on a growing number of phones.

And it looks like the recently-released Xiaomi Mi MIX will join this group, as the Chinese company agreed to pre-install Cortana and offer its users Microsoft’s digital assistant as default.

Xiaomi was already a Microsoft partner and its devices came pre-loaded with Microsoft software, but with today’s announcement, the company not only that includes the bezel-less Mi MIX into the deal but it also expands it to cover Cortana.

Cortana on Android

Microsoft’s personal assistant arrived on Android last year and Xiaomi is only the second company that pre-installs it on its devices, after Cyanogen. Samsung and the other Android manufacturers working with Microsoft are sticking with apps like Skype and Office, and their agreements do not cover Cortana.

Making its services available on rival platforms is part of Microsoft’s strategy of growing as a service company, and Windows boss Terry Myerson has said on several occasions that this can only be helpful to its customers using a different mobile platform.

“Our company will be pragmatic and embrace other mobile platforms with our productivity services, device management services, and development tools - regardless of a person’s phone choice, we want everyone to be able to experience what Microsoft has to offer them,” he states.

In return for installing its apps on Android devices, Microsoft is providing companies with access to some of its wireless patents, which themselves generate billions of dollars every year for the software giant.