Microsoft snaps up Danger Inc.

Microsoft has acquired Danger Inc., the company that developed the Sidekick, for an undisclosed amount.

Microsoft gave the Danger announcement a scant couple of sentences in its Mobile World Congress 2008 press release from February 11.

Although Danger's brand name is on devices that are powered by the Danger operating system, Danger does not make hardware.

According to Microsoft, Danger "provides services that allow people to keep in touch, stay organized and keep informed while on the go through real-time mobile messaging, social networking services, Web browsing and personal information management applications. Combining these services with Microsoft’s connected entertainment and mobile technologies will provide Microsoft with the tools to accelerate its work to create industry-leading entertainment and communication experiences for consumers."

(Microsoft doesn't mention that Danger's suite is Java-based.)

I'm curious how Microsoft will morph Danger's services with its own growing family of Windows Live Mobile services... Danger has considerable experience in hosting services for mobile operators, a business Microsoft might be interested in.

Microsoft needs something to boost its lackluster Windows Mobile business. The company is signing up more handset partners -- the latest being Sony Ericsson. But even though Windows Mobile runs phones from 50 device makers used by 160 mobile operators, Microsoft's worldwide market share for Windows Mobile is now smaller than that of the iPhone.