Microsoft has confirmed it has acquired calendar app creator Sunrise. Rumored last week, the purchase provides Microsoft with a powerful calendar tool for iOS, Mac, Android, and a web-based version, and when combined with the earlier deal to buy Acompli, appears to show Microsoft is trying to improve its Office suite by incorporating already-successful third-party apps, rather than developing its own solutions.
Neither Microsoft nor Sunrise have revealed how much the acquisition is worth, but earlier reports suggest Microsoft paid out at least $100 million. A blog post by Outlook and Office 365 Corporate Vice President Rajesh Jha claims the acquisition is “because we believe a reinvention in the way people use calendars on mobile devices is long overdue.” Both Microsoft and Sunrise have confirmed the app will continue to be available at no charge to users.
It is still unclear what Microsoft is going to do with its new purchase. With its Acompli purchase, Microsoft quickly rebranded it as Outlook and released it as a free preview while it makes changes to the app. R
