Microsoft expands reach, partners with Android manufacturers

We’re seeing a lot of good movement from Microsoft these days, and this says a lot of good things about the new boss, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. We’ve seen how great the upcoming Windows 10 OS looks like, and we’re bracing for what Windows Phone will bring us this year or the next. In the meantime, the Redmond-based software giant is extending its reach as it looks to partner with Android manufacturers and place their software on devices.

Microsoft has already closed the deal with Android giant Samsung, pre-installing their apps and services like OneNote, Skype, and OneDrive apps on the new Samsung flagships the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones. After that, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype will also be pre-installed on some of Samsung’s Android tablets starting this year. Pretty good moves.

Microsoft announced that they have inked deals with OEM outfit Dell as well, solidifying their leadership in PC software. The expansion will grow into 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 hardware manufacturers will be pre-installing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Skype on Android devices coming to market later this year.

So don’t be surprised to see a growth in Microsoft app usage this year, as the company really is pushing for cross-platform usage with its apps. All in all, these will point to more visibility for Microsoft, a company which we once thought would decline with the Windows platform. How different things now look, with some new perspective and a little effort.