Microsoft is reportedly investing in Cyanogen's custom Android mod

[wraggster]

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/4288x2848+0+0/resize/630x418!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/midas/6fdba31868929301817b1c13cf79c785/201475515/15319289238_74488ab911.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/29/microsoft-cyanogen-android/)Now here's something we've never expected to write: Microsoft is investing in Android -- well, sort of. The software giant is reportedly planning to become a minority investor in Cyanogen, best known for its customized version of Android, according to the Wall Street Journal (http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2015/01/29/microsoft-to-invest-in-rogue-android-startup-cyanogen/). Neither company is talking about the deal, naturally, and we still don't know how big Microsoft's investment may be. Bloomberg reports (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-29/microsoft-said-to-be-in-talks-with-cyanogen-over-android-deal) that the two companies are in negotiations to create a version of Cyanogen's image that features Microsoft's services (similar to what Nokia did with its X series, whichMicrosoft killed off (http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/17/microsoft-nokia-x-select-handsets-windows-phone/)). The report comes only a few months after Cyanogen refused a Google buyout (http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/02/cyanogen-refuses-google/) offer, supposedly because it wants to keep the dream of a truly open version of Android alive. The more likely reason? Cyanogen will probably end up being worth a lot more after additional investments than what Google was willing to pay.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/29/microsoft-is-reportedly-investing-in-cyanogens-custom-android-m/