Microsoft To Bundle Apps With Cyanogen Android Smartphones

Microsoft and Cyanogen have struck a deal that will allow Redmond company to place some apps on Cyanogen's modified version of the Android mobile operating system.

"Under the partnership, Cyanogen will integrate and distribute Microsoft's consumer apps and services across core categories, including productivity, messaging, utilities, and cloud-based services. As part of this collaboration, Microsoft will create native integrations on Cyanogen OS, enabling a powerful new class of experiences," the press release said.

Microsoft was reported to be weighing an investment in Cyanogen but wasn't among the investors identified when Cyanogen announced an $80 million funding round last month.

The agreement will place Microsoft's main applications such as Office, Bing, Skype, cloud storage app OneDrive and Outlook email on smartphones running Cyanogen.

Recently, Microsoft has begun showing interests in markets other than Windows. The company has been buying startups that make popular apps for Android and Apple's iOS. Microsoft also struck a deal with Samsung to put some of its apps on the company's latest flagship smartphone.

"People around the world use Cyanogen's operating system and popular Microsoft services to engage with what matters most to them on their mobile devices," said Kirt McMaster, CEO of Cyanogen Inc. "This exciting partnership with Microsoft will enable us to bring new kinds of integrated services to mobile users in markets around the world."

Cyanogen has about 50 million users worldwide.