Asus to bundle Microsoft apps on its Android phones
Taiwanese firm Asus is the latest in a growing number of device-makers to start pre-installing Office productivity apps on its handsets.
Google would like everyone in the world to use its apps for note-taking, spreadsheets and inbox management, but Microsoft's Office still represents the productivity gold standard even as more and more of us are migrating to mobile.
Asus is the latest phonemaker to agree and will start offering its Android handsets and tablets with the apps pre-installed as part of a bigger agreement with Microsoft that will see the two companies share patent licenses and tech innovations.
"This agreement delivers significant value for both companies. Beyond ensuring continued improvements to our products, it opens the door to the kind of collaboration between Microsoft and Asus made possible only through mutual respect and alignment on intellectual property," said Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC.
As such it is the fourth handset maker to do so. LG, Sony and Samsung have already started pre-installing selected Microsoft Office apps on their Android devices.
