Earlier this week, a report pointed out that CyanogenMod may be looking to split up with Google as the provider of services and features for Android. The startup company is reportedly planning to open its own app store, connect with other companies and partners in order to launch a new version of Android that Google cannot control.
Now, it seems Microsoft already has plans in mind.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Redmond giant is already preparing to invest in CyanogenMod. The report claimed that Microsoft would be a minority investor when it funds the company with a $70 million round of equity financing.
In the report, CyanogenMod is reportedly valued in 'the high hundred millions', which means more funding could be under way to support the startup brand. Last year, the company made quite a splash when it partnered with another startup, OnePlus, in delivering the CyanogenMod experience of the OnePlus One.
However, when the partnership failed to live up to expectations, CyanogenMod began looking for other partners which would make it better as a company. In that process, the company thought that Android's creator, Google, may just be the one holding it back from becoming something big.
As a result, CyanogenMod CEO Kirt McMaster announced in an event in California that his company would soon part ways with Google as the provider for services related to the Android platform.
According to the report, in spite CyanogenMod's success in making a new version and look for Android based on the latest updates (Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop), it still does not have complete control of the entire ecosystem. As a result, users are not enjoying the full capabilities of their devices.
On the other hand, Microsoft is still struggling to sell its smartphones with the Lumia and Windows brand. The company already acquired Nokia and replaced the brand name, but reports indicated that their devices controls just three percent of the market.
