AfterDawn: News

Microsoft preparing to invest in Cyanogen and its goal of taking down Google

Cyanogen, the maker of the CyanogenMod operating system based on Android, may have a powerful new investor.

Sources claim that Microsoft is prepared to invest in the startup, especially as the company is preparing a version of CyanogenMod that does not need to be tied to Google or its apps.



Microsoft would be part of the $70 million expected to be raised in the coming weeks that values Cyanogen at over $800 million. Of course, the move would be unorthodox for the software giant as it offers its own Windows Phone operating system and sells nearly 40 million units per year. It appears that Microsoft wants to be part of the team that takes some power away from Google's near monopoly in the smartphone industry.

Recently, Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster made bold statements, specifically saying "We're going to take Android away from Google."

There are over 50 million people using some version of CyanogenMod, and McMaster says nearly 9000 developers are voluntarily working on building the nightly builds of the operating system.

Source:
WSJ

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 29 Jan 2015 14:48

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• 3 comments

• Mrguss

  Quote: ...Microsoft wants to be part of the team that takes some power away from Google's "Near Monopoly" in the smart-phone industry. 1.- Non of the 2 Corps. are near monopoly in the smart phone industry.
  2.- Google had being more successful that M$ on the smart phone industry.
  3.- M$ having more money that Google, but is Jealous that Google is smarter.
  4.- M$ can't handle to be the 2nd. or the 3rd, or, etc. over there. If you ask me !?
  

  Live Free or Die.
  The rule above all the rules is: Survive !
  Capitalism: Funnel most of the $$$ to the already rich.

  29.1.2015 15:48 #1

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Mrguss: Quote: ...Microsoft wants to be part of the team that takes some power away from Google's "Near Monopoly" in the smart-phone industry. 1.- Non of the 2 Corps. are near monopoly in the smart phone industry.
  2.- Google had being more successful that M$ on the smart phone industry.
  3.- M$ having more money that Google is Jealous that Google is smarter.
  4.- M$ can't handle to be the 2nd. or the 3rd, or, etc. over there. If you ask me !? Google already pays Microsoft for every patents tied to every Android device ever released. This is just another way to dig their claws in!

  30.1.2015 11:27 #2

• Mrguss

  5.- Cyanogen can do better by his own; like it have being doing in the pass, that switching pimps.
  
  Most huckers do a lot better with out a pimp & even some prostitutes became pimps 'cos the are too good at it.
  

  Live Free or Die.
  The rule above all the rules is: Survive !
  Capitalism: Funnel most of the $$$ to the already rich.

  30.1.2015 18:01 #3