Microsoft is teaming up with LG Electronics Inc., Sony Corporation and 18 other companies to ensure its Office and Skype apps come preloaded onto their Android-powered tablet devices.

The deal will see that Microsoft’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Skype apps are pre-loaded on all new tablets sold by the companies, which include 18 regional manufacturers such as China’s Haier Group, Brazil’s Positivo Informática and Germany’s Wortman AG.

The deal underlines just how determined Microsoft is to make its mark on the Android system in light of the relatively low adoption of its own Windows Phone and Windows-powered tablets.

“Our strategic agreements with these partners demonstrate how Microsoft is leveraging the scale of the hardware ecosystem, and working with partners in new ways to deliver rich experiences to our customers,” said Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Original Equipment Manufacturer division, in a statement.

Parker said this was the cornerstone of Microsoft’s new cross-platform services strategy, which is designed to bring Microsoft’s services to every kind of device.

“By pre-installing Microsoft software and services solutions on Android tablets, our partners are able to increase the value of those devices by delivering the rich productivity experiences customers want,” Parker added.

For starters, Microsoft’s apps will be loaded onto Sony’s Xperia Z4 tablet within the next 90 days, the company said. In addition, the apps will also be shipped with an as yet unnamed LG tablet.

Microsoft’s announcement comes just days before Google holds its annual I/O event, and hints at the possibility of an LG-built Nexus device taking center stage there.

Earlier this year, Microsoft said its Office and Skype apps would also come pre-loaded on tablets from Dell Inc. and Samsung.

The annoucement also comes just a day after Microsoft said it was planning to bring its Cortana digital voice assistant to both Android and iOS, in a bid to make its product more relavant on competing platforms. Cortana will land on Android and iOS devices as part of a new service called Windows Phone Companion, which is aimed to make Windows 10 play nice with smartphones running alternative OS’s.

Image credit: Microsoft