Microsoft has purchased Palo Alto-based starup Double Labs, maker of the free Android Echo Notification Lockscreen app.
Double Labs' free Android lockscreen app works on Android phones and small (10-inch and under) Android tablets. It shows users full notifications on their lock screens.
Many are wondering why Microsoft bought an Android lockscreen vendor, especially given Microsoft's own Garage incubator already launched an Android lockscreen. That Microsoft app, Next Lock Screen, is available in the Google Play Store.
So why buy an identical free app from a startup? It's all about productivity and mobility.
Microsoft has been buying up some of the biggest iOS and Android productivity apps over the past several months. It bought Acompli and quickly rebranded its email product as "Outlook" for iOS and Android. It bought iOS and Android calendar vendor Sunrise and to-do-list vendor 6Wunderkinder.
Microsoft already had products that provide the same features in many, if not all, of the categories where these acquisitions play. But Microsoft is opting to buy apps with already established mind share and market share with iOS and Android users in order to get its own brand and offerings in front of these non-Windows-Mobile users.
Larson-Green told Business Insider Android, because of its market share, is "a great platform for rapid experimentation." It's also, at least in theory, a great platform for making money if and when Microsoft can hook more Android users on its apps and services, starting with free and hopefully moving on to paid.
Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs. Microsoft has purchased a startup that makes an Android lockscreen, even though Microsoft already has built its
Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs ...
Microsoft has purchased Palo Alto-based starup Double Labs, maker of the free Android Echo Notification Lockscreen app. Microsoft Chief Experience Officer Julie
Microsoft buys Double Labs, the startup behind Android ...
Microsoft has bought Double Labs, a startup that developed Echo Notification Lockscreen, a free lockscreen app for Android. Microsoft confirmed the deal to
Microsoft Buys an Android Lockscreen -- Redmondmag.com
Microsoft bought a lockscreen for Android devices made by Double Labs Inc., according to a press report late last week.
Microsoft is using Android apps as mobile testbeds
This past Friday, Business Insider revealed that Microsoft had acquired Double Labs, Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs. ZDNet: Android News.
Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs ...
'Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs'" target="blank">Learn more Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs. September 14,
Microsoft Buys Android Lockscreen Developer -- Redmond ...
A Microsoft executive recently confirmed that the company has purchased Double Labs Inc., a developer of lockscreens for Android devices.
Netwoven Inc.
Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs Microsoft has purchased a startup that makes an Android lockscreen, even though Microsoft already has built
Microsoft acquires Echo Lockscreen creators Double Labs ...
Microsoft has confirmed the company has bought Double Labs, a startup based in Palo Alto, California that created the popular Android app Echo Notification Lockscreen.
Microsoft buys Android lockscreen vendor Double Labs
Microsoft has purchased a startup that makes an Android lockscreen, even though Microsoft already has built its own Android lockscreen. Here's why.