Xiaomi to open source device kernel


Xiaomi have promised to release the kernel code to their phones opening up Xiaomi devices to 3rd party ROM developers.

Xiaomi are following in the footsteps of Oppo and are making the kernel code for their phone open source. Under GPL agreements all manufactures using Android should make their source code freely available, but this isn’t always the case especially for Chinese phone makers who like to keep things to themselves.

Gizchina News of the week


The release of kernel codes will begin with the Xiaomi Mi2, Mi2S and Mi2A phones, the Mi1 will then be released and finally the Hongmi and Xiaomi Mi3.

Kernel codes will be available through Xioami’s websites and also the MIUIandroid site, which originally broke this great news.

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30 Comments

  1. Mike
    September 27, 2013

    best news today!!! if its true then i can buy Xiaomi Mi3 🙂

  2. debe
    September 27, 2013

    some official source of this news?

    • September 27, 2013

      MIUIandroid link is in the article

  3. Valmiki
    September 27, 2013

    sorry for being such a dumbo.. but what does kernel mean?? and how does it improve performance of the phone..

    • Robin
      September 28, 2013

      You know this website http://www.google.com? You can ask questions there, questions like “What is the kernel of an android device” allthough the question doesnt really fit the answer you will get your answer. Try that website sometime 🙂

  4. R
    September 27, 2013

    Never mind that. Where is the announcement about the WCDMA version of the Hongmi (Red Rice) phone being available? Xiaomi said end of September and still no news.

    • September 27, 2013

      Insiders said the end of September, not Xiaomi

  5. September 27, 2013

    Old news, it’s been out for 10 days. I thought they had released something already when I saw this article.

  6. Alan
    September 27, 2013

    THe big question is WHEN are they releasing …. in 1 year ? then the phones are outdated? or in 1 month?

  7. Pip_X
    September 27, 2013

    Xiaomi is releasing kernal based on MTK SOC???
    Really???
    That’s great! Finally the possibility for CM ROMs on MTK devices!!!

  8. Simon
    September 27, 2013

    That is excellent. Bring on the 3rd Party development. Start opening up stores globally.

  9. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    best news today!!! if its true then i can buy Xiaomi Mi3 🙂

  10. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    some official source of this news?

    • Guest
      September 27, 2013

      MIUIandroid link is in the article

  11. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    sorry for being such a dumbo.. but what does kernel mean?? and how does it improve performance of the phone..

    • Guest
      September 28, 2013

      You know this website http://www.google.com? You can ask questions there, questions like “What is the kernel of an android device” allthough the question doesnt really fit the answer you will get your answer. Try that website sometime 🙂

  12. September 27, 2013

    Great news, finally.

  13. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    Never mind that. Where is the announcement about the WCDMA version of the Hongmi (Red Rice) phone being available? Xiaomi said end of September and still no news.

    • Guest
      September 27, 2013

      Insiders said the end of September, not Xiaomi

  14. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    Old news, it’s been out for 10 days. I thought they had released something already when I saw this article.

  15. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    THe big question is WHEN are they releasing …. in 1 year ? then the phones are outdated? or in 1 month?

  16. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    Xiaomi is releasing kernal based on MTK SOC???
    Really???
    That’s great! Finally the possibility for CM ROMs on MTK devices!!!

  17. Ra
    September 27, 2013

    Very good. It’s a move that will be beneficial to everyone involved, I think. And only fair.

  18. Guest
    September 27, 2013

    That is excellent. Bring on the 3rd Party development. Start opening up stores globally.

  19. Guest
    September 28, 2013

    Great news, finally.

  20. Guest
    September 28, 2013

    Very good. It’s a move that will be beneficial to everyone involved, I think. And only fair.

  21. AndyLu
    October 1, 2013

    And about Jiayu? Open source device kernel ¿ I think if Jiayu open will be best of alls.. sure..

  22. Guest
    October 1, 2013

    And about Jiayu? Open source device kernel ¿ I think if Jiayu open will be best of alls.. sure..

  23. aldo
    October 3, 2013

    Oppo wil be happy…

  24. Guest
    October 3, 2013

    Oppo wil be happy…