Microsoft is really pushing its drive to expand this year. After announcing a partnership with Dell, Samsung, and other tech companies, the Redmond-based company now sets its sights on two large smartphone and tablet manufacturers – LG and Sony.
In this recent move, Microsoft will have its Universal Office Suite apps like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneDrive, and Skype apps included out of the box for new Android tablets. According to Nick Parker, corporate vice president for the OEM division of Microsoft, the announcement will enable more Microsoft users to add significant improvements in their productivity.
Parker said, "I'm excited to announce that 20 additional global and local OEM partners, including LG, Sony, Haier, Positivo and Wortmann, will make Microsoft productivity applications and services available on their Android tablets."
Parker added that the next in line to receive the pre-installed apps would be the upcoming LG tablets, and new devices under Sony's flagship tablet, the Xperia Z4.
"These 31 partners will offer Android tablets pre-installed with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Skype in the near future. They will be available on a new LG tablet, and Sony will include them on their Xperia Z4 tablet in the next 90 days."
The announcement came after Microsoft decided to enact a different strategy for this year. The tech giant already assured owners of Windows 7 and 8.1 that they will get a free upgrade to the upcoming Windows 10 platform during its first year. In addition, Microsoft has also simultaneously released preview versions of the upcoming OS in PC and mobile, and will be releasing all the editions of Windows 10 in a staggered basis. It is rumoured that the PC version of the new platform will come out toward the end of the year, with the other versions to immediately follow.
