Microsoft is expanding its productivity apps and services with a new acquisition: the German startup 6Wunderkinder that's behind the popular Wunderlist to-do app.
Wunderlist is a popular cross-platform application that works with several operating systems and is available on Android, iOS, Windows, OS X and the web. The app got even more interesting a couple of weeks ago, when Wunderlist announced plans for deeper integration with Sunrise, the cross-platform calendar app Microsoft bought back in February.
So far, Wunderlist has seen great success across all platforms, and it apparently caught Microsoft's eye as well. Redmond made significant efforts in recent times to boost its cross-platform offerings in regard to mobile productivity, and the new acquisition is an important step forward.
Wunderlist offers its services on a subscription-based system, allowing users to enjoy only some basic features for free. More advanced features included in the "Pro" subscription, meanwhile, are available for $4.99 per month. The company also offers a business package for large firms looking to get their employees on the system.
Not too long ago, VentureBeat reported that Microsoft was set to acquire the German startup for less than $250 million. A new report from the Wall Street Journal now reveals that Microsoft indeed acquired 6Wunderkinder GmbH, in a deal worth between $100 and $200 million.
According to the Journal, the current 6Wunderkinder staff will continue to work at the company's office in Berlin, but will now report to the Microsoft headquarters in Washington.
It remains unclear whether Wunderlist's applications will continue to be independent after this acquisition like the Sunrise apps, or whether Microsoft will rebrand them. Either way, one thing's for sure: as of June 1, Microsoft's Sunrise Calendar includes tasks on Wunderlist in its daily views.
This acquisition further bolsters Microsoft's efforts to expand its mobile productivity offerings across more platforms, moving beyond Windows and Windows Phone. Realizing that Windows exclusivity may not be the best way to go in the increasingly competitive smartphone and tablet markets dominated by other players, Microsoft under CEO Satya Nadella seems to be focusing more on reaching as many users as possible with its productivity services.
Even with its latest Windows 10 – which is set to start rolling out this summer for PCs, phones, and tablets – Microsoft is broadening its horizons. The company recently announced that Windows 10 will allow developers to port Android and iOS apps directly onto the platform, which could result in a far wider ecosystem.
