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Top Microsoft apps like the Office suite, OneDrive and Skype will be pre-installed on Android devices from Dell and 10 other smaller hardware manufacturers, the software giant confirmed today.
Following the earlier announcement Microsoft’s apps will be pre-loaded onto Samsung’s Android tablets, Microsoft revealed its reach on Android devices would be expanding even further.
"Earlier today, we announced an expanded global partnership with Samsung to deliver Microsoft mobile productivity services to both consumer and business customers,” said Peggy Johnson, Microsoft’s EVP of Business Development said.
“Building on that news, I'm pleased to share that we've also expanded strategic agreements with leading global OEM Dell, and regional OEMs including TrekStor of Germany, JP Sa Couto of Portugal, Datamatic of Italy, DEXP of Russia, Hipstreet of Canada, QMobile of Pakistan, Tecno of Africa, and Casper of Turkey, as well as top original device manufacturer Pegatron.
“These 11 hardware partners will pre-install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Skype on Android devices coming to market later this year.”
While, Dell aside, many of those firms won’t be household names in the UK or the United States, the new partnerships show Microsoft’s intent to ensure it’s key platforms have a significant presence on the rival Android OS.
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The announcement is a continuation Microsoft’s efforts to ensure it’ services become ubiquitous on all platforms.
The firm has made Office free to use on iOS and has announced recent integration with firms like Dropbox as it works to ensure as many people as possible are using its software on their favourite operating systems.