Xiaomi to preinstall Microsoft apps and services on Mi devices

Microsoft on Tuesday announced that it has sold 1,500 of its patents to Chinese technology conglomerate Xiaomi. As part of the two companies’ long-term partnership, Xiaomi has agreed to install several of Microsoft-made software and services including Office and Skype on its phones and tablets. Xiaomi is among the top Android smartphone manufacturer.

Microsoft announced in a blog post that Xiaomi will begin preinstalling Office and other software and services on devices including the Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi 4s, Redmi Note 3, and Redmi 3 starting September 2016. Both the companies declined to disclose the financial details of the agreement.

The partnership between the two companies come months after Xiaomi and Microsoft partnered to launch Windows 10 on Mi Pad and fuel Mi Cloud service using Microsoft Azure.

“We are excited to be working closely with Microsoft on a broad technology collaboration partnership,” said Xiang Wang, senior vice president at Xiaomi. “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.”