Microsoft
is
reportedly investing in Cyanogen Inc., the developer of one of
Android's most popular custom ROMs. If confirmed, Microsoft would
form part of a 70 million USD investment group. The move would see
Microsoft - a major rival of Google
-
become a minority investor in the open-source OS developer, which
currently accounts for around 50 million Android users.
The
news, via The
Wall Street Journal,
may come as a surprise to some, as Microsoft already has its own
Windows Phone platform. Cyanogen currently only develops software
based on Android.
"We're
attempting to take Android away from Google," Cyanogen CEO Kirt
McMaster said in a recent interview. This notion, coupled with
speculation of Microsoft's interest, could have a major impact on the
Android ecosystem.
Cyanogen
made a name for itself largely thanks to its CyanogenMod
ROM,
which offers a rebuilt version of Android free of Google-imposed
restrictions. It was also the OS of choice for the popular OnePlus
One flagship from 2014.
A
reported 1 billion Android smartphones were shipped in 2014 alone,
proving Android's immense popularity and growth. This growth is
likely to have a roll-on effect for Cyanogen, meaning an investment
in the startup a safe bet. With Microsoft yet to hit big with its
Windows Phone platform, an investment in a successful OS like
CyanogenMod would make sense.
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