Xiaomi has agreed to buy around 1,500 patents from Microsoft and start loading Microsoft Office and Skype on its Android smartphones and tablets. The companies’ new collaboration also includes a cross-license and patent transfer agreement. Beginning in September, Xiaomi Android devices, including the Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3, will come pre-installed with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Skype applications. Specific offerings may vary by device, market and mobile operator.
Microsoft Corporate Vice President Jonathan Tinter told the Wall Street Journal that the licensing agreement included wireless communications patents as well as other technologies, including video. The deal is seen as a step towards preparing Xiaomi's launch of smartphones in the US, but Hugo Barra, Xiaomi’s vice president of international, said there was no date yet for a launch there. He also noted that Xiaomi has temporarily halted the launch of new products in Brazil due to uncertainty in government policy. Xiaomi will also bring its international marketing teams back to Beijing, he said.
