Microsoft entrenches platform-agnostic mobile strategy with Samsung Office push

Microsoft and Samsung have announced an expansion of their global partnership to bring more Microsoft mobile software and services to Samsung mobile devices. This move is designed to support the broader mobile strategic aims of both companies, with Microsoft’s focus shifting away from Windows Phone and Samsung keen to be seen as a trusted BYOD player.

By this summer Samsung will start preinstalling the full suite of Microsoft Office for mobile products on some of its Android tablets, as well as OneNote, OneDrive and Skype bundle that it has already committed to preinstall on the new Galaxy S6 smartphones. Also businesses will have the opportunity to bundle Office 365 with Samsung devices.

“Great things happen when you converge services and devices,” said Peggy Johnson, EVP of business development at Microsoft. “Our partnership with Samsung is emblematic of our efforts to bring the best of Microsoft’s productivity services to everyone, on every device, so people can be productive wherever, however and whenever they want.”

“Our goal is to meet the ever-evolving needs of both consumers and business customers and give them more power to discover new mobile experiences,” said SangChul Lee, EVP, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “We believe our suite of premium mobile products coupled with Microsoft’s productivity services will offer users the mobility they need in both their personal and business life.”

With every successive announcement Microsoft reinforces its strategic shift away from Windows Phone as its main mobile play and towards mobile products such as Office and Skype on all platforms. In addition to the Samsung move Johnson also announced in a blog that Microsoft has struck similar deals with a bunch of regional OEMs as well as Dell and Pegatron.

Samsung also has other news today; the launch of the accessory range to go with the new smartphones. There’s nothing revolutionary – mainly a bunch of cases, but the interesting thing is the preoccupation with fashion and designers in the announcement. Apple’s focus with its watch is more on style than substance and Samsung seems to have decided that box needs ticking.

“Samsung has a long history of designer partnerships and an unparalleled understanding of how technology enhances fashion and how fashion inspires technology” said Younghee Lee, Marketing EVP, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics  “The premium accessory collection for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge represents our commitment to uniting the worlds of fashion and technology. Samsung has and will continue to pursue and create innovative, meaningful collaborations with the fashion industry that resonate with the ever-evolving consumer and provide them with essential tools for self-expression.”