Microsoft Buys Phone Maker Danger

Microsoft is leaning more heavily into the mobile arena, announcing it is acquiring phone maker Danger, Inc.

Microsoft is leaning more heavily into the mobile industry, announcing today it is acquiring mobile phone maker Danger Inc. In addition to developing the fad-creating Sidekick phone for T-Mobile, the Palo Alto-based Danger develops a mobile platform that combines mobile messaging, Web browsing, social networking, entertainment, and personal information management; Microsoft will work to integrate these services with its existing mobile solutions to create “industry-leading” mobile entertainment and communications technologies. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We believe wherever you go, your phone should bring your world with you,” said Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division president Robbie Bach, in a statement riffing on Buckaroo Banzai. “Microsoft will build upon our current offerings to business users by delivering a whole new range of experiences to mobile consumers. And we have the broadest partnerships, the finest people, and the best software and services to get us there.”

Microsoft’s acquisition of Danger is somewhat puzzling, since Danger develops its own operating system distinct from Microsoft’s own Windows Mobile. Danger was founded by Andy Rubin—who has since gone on to head up development of Google’s Android mobile platform—and had been planning to go public.