Microsoft Office and Skype find a foothold on Xiaomi's Android phones - CNET

Microsoft's Windows Phone may be a dud in the marketplace, but you may see other software from the company on mobile devices after a deal aounced Tuesday with Chinese phone maker Xiaomi.

That's because Xioami will install Microsoft Office and Skype on some of its Android phones, the companies said. "Begiing in September 2016, Xiaomi Android devices, including 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," Microsoft said.

Office and Windows, Microsoft's two biggest sources of profit, historically have been tightly linked. But under the leadership of Chief Executive Satya Nadella, Microsoft has begun trying to spread its software to a mobile market dominated by Apple and Google.

Under the deal, the companies also are licensing each other's patents. And Xiaomi also agreed to buy 1,500 Microsoft patents, according to Reuters. Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.