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Microsoft, Cyanogen Looks To Free Android From Google
Microsoft is apparently pumping A LOT of cash into Cyanogen
It’s no secret that Microsoft makes more from its Android patents than it does from Windows Phone, but now it looks as if Microsoft is looking to further its reach inside the Android ecosystem via a BIG investment in Cyanogen.
Cyanogen is a company well known in technology circles. It provided the custom Android software for the OnePlus One and is well known all over the globe for its bespoke, aftermarket versions of Google’s Android platform.
Cyanogen is currently in the process of raising funds –– it’s after $70 million, according to reports –– and Microsoft is said to be providing a large portion of this. The story initially broke on The Wall Street Journal, which reports that the names of other potential investors are not yet known.
A person aware of the funding told the WSJ, “the financing round could grow with other strategic investors that have expressed interest in Cyanogen because they’re also eager to diminish Google’s control over Android.”
Cyanogen has made no bones in the past about taking Android away from Google’s control. This latest round of funding could be to raise the monies to make such a task possible. Cyanogen wants to make Android more open and readily available to smaller, start-up OEMs.
Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster recently confirmed the company is now actively looking at developing its own App Store to rival Google’s Play Store.
Cyanogen has previously worked with Oppo, MicroMax and OnePlus.
Richard Goodwin
12:36, 30 Jan 2015