14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s Android push continues with a new partnership with Lenovo that will bring its apps, including OneDrive, Office, and Skype, on premium devices running Android and sold around the world “over the next several years.”
Microsoft and Lenovo have announced in a press release that they expect millions of such devices to sell in the coming years, but the two companies haven’t disclosed the models that will come with the aforementioned apps pre-installed. They have, however, mentioned that all of them will be premium, and Microsoft expects buyers to thus get an even better experience when buying a Lenovo phone or tablet running Android.
“Microsoft's thrilled that our productivity apps will be pre-installed on Lenovo's premium devices. The marriage of Microsoft's apps and Lenovo's Android-based devices will enable customers around the world to be more productive, more connected and achieve even more,” says Nick Parker, corporate vice president OEM Division, Microsoft.
Patent licensing deal also included
While Microsoft gets the right to pre-install its apps on Lenovo devices, the Chinese manufacturer also receives access to some patents that the software giant owns and that are being used on Android phones and tablets. The deal includes a patent cross-licensing agreement too, Microsoft reveals, and this covers both Lenovo and Motorola devices, again without any other specifics.
“Our collaboration with Microsoft will create new opportunities for our customers to take advantage of some of Microsoft's most popular apps,” adds Christian Eigen, Leader of Corporate Alliances, Lenovo. “Installing Microsoft apps and services on our devices will bring additional value to consumers around the globe.”
Without a doubt, this is an important win for Microsoft, as it continues the company’s attempt to make its apps available on more Android devices. Redmond is working hard on expanding its product portfolio on non-Windows devices, and investing in Android and iOS apps and services has become a priority, so this new agreement with Lenovo is an important step in this direction for the software giant.