Microsoft buys out Wunderlist developer 6Wunderkinder
Microsoft has forged an agreement to buy 6Wunderkinder -- the German developer behind to-do list app Wunderlist -- in a deal worth between $100 million and $200 million, a report said on Monday.
The 6Wunderkinder staff will remain based in Berlin, but simply work for Microsoft, a source told The Wall Street Journal. The same person speculated that Microsoft is looking to further enhance its mobile portfolio, which now includes things like Sunrise Calendar, and a variety of Office titles such as Outlook -- actually a rebranded version of Acompli, another Microsoft acquisition.
Wunderlist is a multi-platform app, available not just for iPhones and iPads but Android, Windows, OS X, and the Web. That fits with Microsoft's strategy under CEO Satya Nadella, who has abandoned Windows exclusivity in the name of getting as many people as possible using the company's products and services.
Windows 10 is due to launch July 29 across PCs, phones, and tablets. One unusual aspect is that developers will be able to port iOS and Android apps to the platform directly, which could eventually lead to a much larger mobile Windows library.
Both Microsoft and 6Wunderkinder refused to comment on the matter.
The 6Wunderkinder staff will remain based in Berlin, but simply work for Microsoft, a source told The Wall Street Journal. The same person speculated that Microsoft is looking to further enhance its mobile portfolio, which now includes things like Sunrise Calendar, and a variety of Office titles such as Outlook -- actually a rebranded version of Acompli, another Microsoft acquisition.
Wunderlist is a multi-platform app, available not just for iPhones and iPads but Android, Windows, OS X, and the Web. That fits with Microsoft's strategy under CEO Satya Nadella, who has abandoned Windows exclusivity in the name of getting as many people as possible using the company's products and services.
Windows 10 is due to launch July 29 across PCs, phones, and tablets. One unusual aspect is that developers will be able to port iOS and Android apps to the platform directly, which could eventually lead to a much larger mobile Windows library.
Both Microsoft and 6Wunderkinder refused to comment on the matter.
Comments
I think it's more like, "A fool and his money...."
The company makes the app available for every known OS on the market, so what does Microsoft get for their money.... that they don't get now... uhh... Oh! ...hmmm... welllll....
It is very good. I hope Microsoft don't ruin it.
I downloaded the Windows version at the office. Buggy. Sucked. Deleted it. That's my first and last experience with their app.
Wunderlist is easily the only real competitor to Evernote in my eyes. I really hope Microsoft doesn't ruin it.
But to be honest, I've not felt or seen the usual Microsoft Embrace, Extend, Extinguish policy with these recent batch of apps. It seems apparent that Sadya Natella is NOT Steve Ballmer. It seems he recognizes that completely ignoring competitors, especially leaders in a major area, is a losing proposition. He seems to believe that buying non-homegrown solutions is not for eliminating competition...but to offer better solutions.
The only thing that remains is to see if the price of doing business with this new Microsoft (i.e. 365) becomes more expensive.
Picks up and unlocks iPhone.
Pages to app, press and hold.
Delete...
At least it wasn't Google, but wasn't wowed by it anyway.
I'm referring more to how will MS monetize a freeium app to earn a return on these millions...