14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft and Acer have just announced a new partnership that will bring the former's Android apps and services to the latter's smartphones and tablets.
Starting the second half of the year, Acer will preload Microsoft services and applications on its portfolio of Android devices.
Among the services that come preinstalled on Acer smartphones and tablets, Microsoft mentions Office services (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype.
“We’re excited to partner with Microsoft to provide enhanced mobile productivity to our products. By integrating the Microsoft software suite, Acer customers will enjoy productivity on-the-go along with the familiar computing experience on their smartphones and tablets,” said ST Liew, president of Acer Smart Products Business Group.
According to Acer, these apps and services will be available on “select Android smartphones and tablets,” so some devices launched by the company in the coming months will have Microsoft's products installed on them.
More than 70 handset makers include Microsoft apps on Android devices
Naturally, this is not the first time Microsoft licenses some of its services and apps to an Android handset maker.
Samsung, LG, Sony and a few other mobile phone vendor have already agreed to pay Microsoft to include its services on their Android smartphones and tablets.
“We’re pleased that we have been able to enhance the already strong partnership that exists between Microsoft and Acer. Mutually beneficial and collaborative agreements such as this one promote innovation and lead to better products and experiences for consumers,” concluded Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing.
The Redmond-based company announced today that it now has more than 70 partners that have decided to preinstall Microsoft apps on their Android products.
Also, Microsoft confirmed it has entered into more than 1,200 licensing agreements since it launched its IP licensing program in late 2003.
Are there any major players in the smartphone business that haven't yet put Microsoft's apps on its Android products? If yes, they will probably join the crowd soon enough.