Microsoft continues mobile push with Xiaomi partnership, Office apps to be pre-installed on devices

Microsoft has entered into a strategic and long-term partnership with Chinese smartphone-maker, Xiaomi. As part of the partnership, Microsoft will be selling about 1500 of its patents and licenses to Xiaomi, according to Reuters.

As Microsoft pushes more of its products to mobile devices, Xiaomi’s smartphones and tablets will now come pre-installed with Microsoft Office and Skype.

With this move, Microsoft is confident that millions of Xiaomi users across China, India and other countries will be able to use their devices to find new ways of work and communication and increase their productivity as well.

Xiaomi senior vice president Xiang Wang said: "We are excited to be working closely with Microsoft on a broad technology collaboration partnership.

"As demonstrated by this agreement with Microsoft, Xiaomi is looking to build sustainable, long-term partnerships with global technology leaders, with the ultimate goal of bringing the best user experience to our Mi fans."

Microsoft Office and Skype will be available on Xiaomi devices by the end of September 2016. In Xiaomi devices such as Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3, Microsoft Office apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Skype will come pre-installed.

The software giant says that specific applications may vary from device to device and market to market, while applications could also be dependent on mobile operator as well.

Xiaomi’s Mi Pad will also now feature Windows 10 and Microsoft’s Azure technology which will be powering Mi Cloud services.

Microsoft business development executive vice president Peggy Johnson said: "People want their favorite apps and experiences to work seamlessly on the device of their choice, and that’s exactly what this partnership offers.

"Together with Xiaomi, we’re bringing the very best in mobile productivity to millions more customers in China and around the world."

With such partnerships, Microsoft is now trying to build a new strategy to work with industry leaders around the world in order to meet the needs of their joint customers.