Microsoft flirts with Danger

 

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By Nicole Kobie in Barcelona

Posted on 12 Feb 2008 at 09:58

Microsoft has bought Danger, the developer of the software behind the T-Mobile Sidekick smartphone, in a move to strengthen its mobile web capabilities.

The deal, which has been in the works for some time, was made public on the same day Microsoft failed in its first bid for Yahoo.

The Danger acquisition is expected to complete later this year for an undisclosed sum, according to Microsoft representatives. "Danger has an excellent business we're quite excited about," says Robbie Bach, president of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft.

Danger is best known as the developer of the software installed on the T-Mobile's Sidekick series, a consumer-focused smartphone featuring email and other applications.

Bach says the acquisition "completes the picture for us in terms of making the transition from being on the business side of things to being on the consumer side of things."

Indeed, during the press conference in at 3GSM in Barcelona, Bach stressed that the company's mobile line would become more personal and consumer friendly. "People don't think of them [smartphones] just as business devices... these are devices which span your life," Bach claims.