If you think that the name Hon Hai is extremely familiar, that is because they are the parent company of Foxconn, and I am quite sure that Foxconn has made quite a name for itself in the world consciousness with them being one of the main manufacturers of Apple devices. Well, just today, Microsoft Corp. and Hon Hai have come together to sign a worldwide patent licensing agreement which will be able to deliver broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for devices that are powered by either the Android or Chrome operating systems, and these will include smartphones, tablets and TVs.
Needless to say, the contents of the agreement will remain confidential, although there are parties that claim that Microsoft will be on the receiving end of royalties from Hon Hai under the agreement. Hon Hai is not the first, and neither does it look like they will be the last in a growing list of contract manufacturing and original design manufacturing companies that have something to do with Android and Chrome patent licenses.