On Tuesday, Motorola Inc. said that it has struck a deal with Microsoft Corp.

According to the deal, the software maker will provide search and map functions on Motorola's new smart phones.

The union will give its customers an option when using search and map functions on the company's Android-based devices, said Motorola. Android is a mobile operating platform developed by Google and other alliance partners.

Since Google is involved in a quarrel with the Chinese Government over Internet censorship, Motorola was in search of an alliance, which would enable it to get a place in the cellphone market in China. This gave birth to an alliance between Microsoft and Motorola.

Microsoft will benefit from the deal by installing its Bing search engine services on Motorola's devices.

The search and map services through Microsoft will start in the first quarter of this year, and will be available initially only in China.