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Microsoft has reportedly dipped into its rather deep pockets once again to acquire a popular iOS and Android calendar application.
TechCrunch reports the firm has taken ownership of the Sunrise company, which makes an app by the same name, for a figure of “at least $100m” (around £65m).
The app is available for iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well as a download for Mac OS X machines. Sunrise can also be accessed via the web.
Like many calendar apps, Sunrise patrons can add their Google, iCloud and Microsoft Exchange apps, while also bringing in data from third part apps like Facebook, Foursquare and to-do lists like Google Tasks.
The free app, which makes it easy to schedule events and invite attendees, has a 4 1/2 star rating on the App Store and a 4.3 overall rating on the Google Play, with tens of thousands of ratings on both platforms.
According to the TechCrunch report Microsoft plans to keep the apps up and running, while also integrating Sunrise’s technology into its own apps and services.
The acquisition once again highlights Microsoft’s new ambitions to be a big software player across all platforms, rather then focus solely on bringing users under its Windows umbrella.
The company is embracing iOS and Android with versions of its Office apps, a tactic it had resisted for so long.
However, one thing we would expect from Sunrise, sooner rather than later, is a client designed for Windows 10 devices.
Microsoft and Sunrise are yet to officially confirm the acquisition.
