Asus and Microsoft have a new deal allowing to pre-load Redmond-based tech giant software to its Android devices.
This is an attempt of Microsoft to popularize their newly-available Office apps for Android, willing to go beyond reducing patent licensing costs in exchange of getting its productivity-minded app suite to many smartphone users these days. The updated deal covers ASUS' Android-based phones and software.
Among the inclusion of Microsoft software products on Asus Android-based tablets and phones are pre-installing Microsoft Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype. This deal will also allow the two companies to coordinate on new solutions in the future.
Asus joins Samsung and Dell as they both partnered with Microsoft for their Android-based devices earlier this year. Sony, LG and other Android, Chrome OS and Linux companies also signed app-bundling deals with the Redmond-based tech giant.
The Taiwanese computer hardware company also appears to license Microsoft's patents to cover anything that is in those operating systems which potentially infringes on Microsoft's intellectual property, according to CNET.
Similar deal happened between Microsoft and Samsung earlier this year; however, it involves a patent dispute too. In May, Samsung became one of 11 Android device makers to agree to bundle Microsoft Office software and related services on their Android tablets.
Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC, stated that aside from improving their products, the deal opens new chances to collaborate more with Asus through mutual respect and similar goal on intellectual property, PCMag reported.
Microsoft appears to more inclined to peaceful solutions nowadays, achieving more potential collaborations.