Handset-maker Xiaomi will ship Microsoft Office and Skype on the company’s Android smartphones and tablets, following a global agreement with Microsoft. The companies’ new collaboration also includes a cross-license and patent transfer agreement. According to a report in Wall Street Journal, Xiaomi is purchasing 1,500 patents from Microsoft.
Beginning in September 2016, Xiaomi Android 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 applications.
This agreement builds on the companies’ partnership with Windows 10 on Mi Pad and Microsoft Azure powering the Mi Cloud service.