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Microsoft Bargains Patents for Visibility

posted by martyb on Wednesday March 25 2015, @12:13AM   
from the pray-I-do-not-change-it dept.

Shimitar writes:

According to this link: http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/23/8277945/samsung-microsoft-office-apps-android-tablets, and to a Microsoft blog here: http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2015/03/23/microsoft-expands-partnerships-with-leading-device-manufacturers/

Microsoft is using its patent portfolio to leverage its software onto the Android world, trying to push Skype and Office for android (and 365, for business users) outside the fairly limited Windows Phone garden to the real world. In order to do so, since the Android ecosystem already has tons of nice office-like apps and Skype clones, it seems Microsoft is trying to force manufacturers to bundle its non-removable (unless you root) apps on your next Android phone or tablet.

Is it back to the days where IE (Internet Explorer) was forced on us? Or is it a good idea to stick with Apple now (irony)?

• How about a libre OS? How about a libre OS? (Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 25 2015, @02:02AM

  by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 25 2015, @02:02AM (#162223)

  If you installed it, would The Little Red Robot [google.com] kick its ass?

  You did get a supported device. [replicant.us] Right?

  -- gewg_

  Parent

  Starting Score:	0		points
  Moderation		+4
  Interesting=3, Informative=1, Total=4
  Extra 'Interesting' Modifier		0
  Total Score:		4

• Re:How about a libre OS? (Score: 2) by vux984 on Wednesday March 25 2015, @04:16AM

  by vux984 (5045) on Wednesday March 25 2015, @04:16AM (#162252)

  You did get a supported device. Right?

  When even the 'supported' devices generally lack 3D support, NFC, GPS, cameras, and need proprietary wifi and bluetooth .... its hard to get all that excited.

  Parent