Microsoft and Xiaomi ink patent and apps deal

Microsoft and Xiaomi have announced that they have reached an agreement that will see both companies cross-license patent portfolios, as well as pre-load Microsoft Office and Skype on future Xiaomi Android phone and tablets.

As part of the deal Xiaomi will acquire 1500 patents from Microsoft, but it is not know which patents Microsoft will license to Xiaomi. As for the apps, beginning September 2016, Xiaomi devices including Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3 will come pre-installed with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Skype apps. 

Microsoft's deal with Xiaomi would prove to be beneficial for both parties. Microsoft will have its popular productivity apps pre-loaded on Xiaomi devices, which is a large of part of Microsoft's current strategy, to bring their productivity apps and services to other platforms and devices. For Xiaomi, it may be able to leverage, the patent licensing deal to expand its presence in regions such as Europe and North America, especially the U.S, market where the threat of litigation is higher for patent violations. Currently Xiaomi is having a great run in Asia, India and Brazil.

Earlier Microsoft partnered with Xiaomi for Windows 10 on Mi Pad, and Microsoft's Azure to power Xiaomi's Mi Cloud service.

Source | Via