BackMicrosoft said to buy Sunrise app for about $100 million
Microsoft seeks to offer more products that can run on competing operating systems
Premium
Seattle: Microsoft Corp. agreed to buy Sunrise Atelier Inc., a maker of calendar applications for iOS and Android devices, for about $100 million as the software maker seeks to offer more products that can run on competing operating systems, a person familiar with the deal said.
Support and distribution for Sunrise’s mobile apps will continue for now, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the acquisition hasn’t been announced yet.
Microsoft’s Outlook programme, which was released in versions for Apple Inc.’s iOS and Google Inc.’s Android last week, has a built-in calendar. Yet many users want a separate app for that task, the person said. As Microsoft seeks to gain share on iOS and Android devices, the company has found it faster to acquire top apps than create them from scratch, the person said.
This is Microsoft’s second recent purchase of a productivity app for iOS and Android. The Redmond, Washington-based company bought Acompli Inc. in December, and the startup’s products formed the basis for the Outlook apps released last week.
Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella is trying to boost usage of Microsoft programs by releasing apps and services for rival operating systems that dominate the mobile device market, while Windows struggles.
Tony Imperati, a spokesman for Microsoft, declined to comment. Sunrise couldn’t immediately be reached at a phone number listed for the company in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Bloomberg
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
