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AT&T ( T ) is in talks with startup Cyanogen, which has already partnered with Microsoft ( MSFT ), to bring a smartphone to market powered by Cyanogen’s version of open-source Android, not Google’s, say reports. Amazon.com ( AMZN ) flopped with its “Fire” mobile phone, which used a variant of Google’s Android operating system. Well-funded Cyanogen’s technology, though, could give AT&T an edge. Spain-based Telefonica ( TEF ) in late 2015 was the first European wireless firm to launch a smartphone running the Cyanogen operating system. Cyanogen, which has raised $115 million in funding, aims to sell handset makers a version of Android that doesn’t include Google’s services and online store. Under parent Alphabet ( GOOGL ), Google has been asserting more control over Android devices, giving AT&T motivation to seek alternatives , said a report on The Information news site. Besides Cyanogen, AT&T would also work with China-based equipment maker ZTE to develop the smartphone. Microsoft has partnered with Cyanogen to make apps for Skype, Cortana and OneNote available on its Android-based OS. One problem with Amazon’s Fire phone was that its online store did not have all the popular apps from Google and third-party developers. Amazon ended Fire Phone sales last September. Image provided by Shutterstock . Scalper1 News
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