By Michael Calia
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) on Thursday said it reached a patent
agreement that would provide Voxx Electronics Corp.
intellectual-property licensing for devices running the Android
operating system.
Microsoft will receive royalties from Voxx under the deal, which
covers devices such as rear-seat entertainment devices, tablets and
other items. The other details of the agreement are confidential,
the companies said.
The Android operating system is owned and developed by Google
Inc. (GOOG).
Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft has previously collaborated with
the audio equipment maker, a subsidiary of Voxx International Corp.
(VOXX). Voxx International's brands include RCA, Audiovox and
Jensen, among others.
"Our customers depend on Voxx Electronics to deliver
cutting-edge mobile and consumer electronics, and the licensing
deal with Microsoft enables us to better deliver those technologies
in mobile devices and the 'connected cars' of today and tomorrow,"
Voxx Electronics President Tom Malone said.
Microsoft has been looking to catch up in prominent growth
areas, such as the cloud and mobile devices, as consumers have
moved away from personal computers.
Shares of Microsoft were up 27 cents at $37.74 late Thursday
morning, while Voxx shares rose 1.7% to $12.71.
Write to Michael Calia at michael.calia@wsj.com
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