Microsoft Collaborates With Android Tablet Manufacturers

Microsoft collaborates with Android tablet makers to preinstall office apps.

Google Inc. has succeeded in maintaining its dominance over the market since the time it has acquired Android Inc. in 2005. This acquisition turned out to be a game changer for them. Thus, this comes as no surprise that Google has succeeded in becoming the frontrunner in terms of providing an enriching user experience. However, at this point of time Microsoft Corporation is working towards a turnaround. The company has decided to break Google’s monopoly by slowly making their way to Android by devising several applications that will not just be useful but are highly sought after.

Companies like Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, Sony Corp., LG Display Co Ltd. are some of the few firms that currently use the Android platform to launch their high-end products and services. However, despite this Apple Inc. has been doing relatively well in comparison to them. One of the reasons behind this is that it has now become relatively difficult to discriminate between a lot of Android products since they bear a striking resemblance in terms of features and specifications. So now big companies have also started to exert pressure on the relatively smaller brands like OnePlus that are the relatively high end but economical.

Although a number of companies have devised ways to make their products stand out in the market while the others are still struggling. MSFT products and services have now collaborated with 20 android tablet manufacturers asking them to pre-install Office apps in these devices. This is a great achievement for Microsoft itself as it allows them to compete with the Android market. Moreover, Android users will benefit as well as they will now have a better user experience along with a number of apps and options that they have not been able to avail earlier.

Microsoft collaboration will thus allow the tablet manufacturers to install the application on tablets such as Microsoft Excel, Word, OneDrive, Skype, Powerpoint, OneNote on the upcoming devices.

The Corporate Vice President of Microsoft assured clients by stating, : “Today I'm excited to announce that 20 additional global and local OEM partners, including LG, Sony, Haier, Positivo and Wortman, will make Microsoft productivity applications and services available on their Android tablets. These 31 partners will offer Android tablets pre-installed with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Skype in the near future. They will be available on a new LG tablet, and Sony will include them on their Xperia Z4 tablet in the next 90 days".

Microsoft growth is likely to grow with this collaboration resulting in a steady stream of revenues.

Google To Introduce 'Age Rating' For Android Based Apps

Google upgrades its app store where content will be scrutinized on the basis of 'age ratings.'

Google Inc, the search engine giant has taken a long leap after Apple Inc age rating scheme. Google Play, the app store on Google 's Android has finally decided to come with age-based rating for the content of apps. This will allow Google to pave a safer platform where every app would have to go through screening by experts at Google's android app store to ensure they are age appropriate and safe.

The age-based rating will be applicable to games and apps for Android reported the company through a blog post. However, the company has not developed its own platform for scrutiny but will use the system used globally to scrutinize content. For all apps that target the US market, the format to be followed will be Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) that is generally used by the gaming sector.

This does not end here, but Google has also decided to deploy a team of individual with adequate expertise to evaluate the content of the app and then allow or reject them from the app store. If the apps cohere to the policies of the developers they will be permitted on Google’s Play store.

Developers need to create content that does not have explicit or shady material, should not promote or propagate violence, ill speech, and hazardous products, allow gambling, propagate spam or abuse intellectual property whatsoever.

This move allows users to have access to the type of content which can be accessed on the basis of age parameters and also allow guardians to keep a check on the type of content their adolescents interact with. This gives them more authority and ensures a safer platform.

However, Google’s initiate deserves applause but this comes quite late. Since the time, Apple launched its App store; it has always been making sure to tweak apps before they are published. The procedure can take several weeks but ensures that the type of content being promoted on their platform is safe and effective. Since 2008 Apple’s App store has evolved to a great extent but still it reviews all the apps before granting permission.

On the other hand, Google Inc (GOOG) promises to make the process seamless where developers will not have to wait much. The company has also published a page which developers can study to avoid the delay or banning of their apps.

"Developers now have more insight into why apps are rejected or suspended, and they can easily fix and resubmit their apps for minor policy violations," Google stated further.

Hence, Google should have come up with this initiate earlier but better late than never.