When news broke recently that Microsoft had recently invested $70 million in Cyanogen, many wondered what the companies may be up to. Many were worried, especially after Cyanogen was recently involved in a skirmish with Android darling OnePlus. Some more details seem to point to Cyanogen wanting to produce a version of Android that does not include a stack of Google services, hence the need for a “war chest.”
Sources indicate Cyanogen is in the process of trying to get the company valued at hundreds of millions of dollars so that it can raise even more funds on top of the recent Microsoft cash infusion. With funds in hand, it appears Cyanogen hopes to eliminate Google's services from the software stack included in its Android build.
The desire to abandon the Google stack is rooted in a belief on the part of Cyanogen that this would make their version of Android more free than what is provided by Google. Instead of Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, or Chrome, Cyanogen would partner with other providers of similar solutions.
One of the big questions any investor may have though is how Cyanogen will raise any significant revenue to provide a return on investment. The company did succeed in establishing a deal with Micromax to supply its operating system on Micromax phones sold in India. That came at a cost as OnePlus fans saw the Cyanogen move as a betrayal. Other potential investors have pulled back out of concern that Google may be displeased with any support for a potential competitor to their version of Android.
source: Re/code
Nope..without google..cyanogen would fall apart…
This is like me borrowing a cup of sugar from my neighbor’s house then trying to kick them out of their own home. Cyanogen will only hurt themselves and why would Microsoft help another OS improve their service just so they can become a competitor? Even is MS offered outlook and IE on cyanogen, cyanogen is still Android.
Somebody’s getting a little big for their britches