Xiaomi must bundle Office and Skype apps in Microsoft patent deal

Microsoft and Xiaomi have announced a cross-license and patent transfer deal, which will see Xiaomi ship Microsoft Office and Skype on its Android smartphones and tablets.

The Verge reported that as with Microsoft’s previous deals with Asus, Samsung, Sony, and Dell, the details of its Xiaomi partnership have not been fully disclosed.

Xiaomi Android devices – including the Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3, and Redmi 3 – will come installed with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Skype beginning in September 2016.

“Specific offerings may vary by device, market, and mobile operator,” said Microsoft.

The agreement builds on the companies’ partnership with Windows 10 on Mi Pad and Microsoft Azure powering the Mi Cloud service.

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