GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

888k

156k
74k
1.1m

RSS

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • DealsNew
  • Tools
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENTS

Xiaomi commits to release Android kernel source codes within three month of device launches

  • Post your comment
  • Comments (22)

Victor 13 April 2018

Xiaomi Android

If you clicked on the article, you likely already have a good understanding of what this news refers to and its potential implications. On the off change that you don't, the basic concept is this: The Android OS core is a Linux kernel, which is distributed under the General Public License v2 (GPLv2). That allows manufacturers to modify the code, so it can work on their particular hardware platforms (smartphones, tablets, TV boxes, etc.) basically free of charge. The only legal requirement is that the modified code itself must be provided in its entirety, to any third party upon request.

The latter part is important for the modding community, since it's the basis on which developers, outside the manufacturer's own team, can build their own experiences, typically based on the AOSP code, also known as Vanilla Android. The timely public release part is what Xiaomi has been neglecting as evident by the huge number of unanswered kernel source requests on the official company github page.

The new and rather surprising promise of a tighter release schedule was actually made from a company representative, in response to one of the many inquiries, made by the guys over at XDA-Developers. It reads as follows:

As an Internet company, Xiaomi respects the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is committed to an effective compliance.

We are deploying all our resources to achieve a sustainable growth and have been making efforts to speed up our kernel release. We want to make sure that every release is safe and stable.

So far, we have published the kernel sources for many devices. Moving forward, we target to release the kernel source of a device within three months after its launch.

Now, this isn't exactly a legally binding statement, but if Xiaomi manages to come close to the quoted 3 moth time frame, it would be a huge improvement over the current state of affairs. Not to mention a major catalyst for the growing community of modders and tinkerers, itching to sink their teeth into the company's numerous popular Android devices.

If you have further interest in the matter, hit up the source link, where you will find a pretty thorough run-down of the released Xiaomi kernel sources so far and the devices still on the waiting list.

Source

Related articles
  • Xiaomi Blackshark shines in two new promo images Xiaomi Blackshark shines in two new promo images
  • Xiaomi Black Shark gaming phone gets shown off in a three-second hands-on video Xiaomi Black Shark gaming phone gets shown off in a three-second hands-on video
  • Xiaomi Comet and Sirius phones may have Always On OLED screens, Snapdragon 710 Xiaomi Comet and Sirius phones may have Always On OLED screens, Snapdragon 710
  • Xiaomi announces local manufacturing of printed circuit boards in India Xiaomi announces local manufacturing of printed circuit boards in India

Reader comments

?
  • Anonymous
  • ut@
  • 14 Apr 2018

So, it takes them 3 months to dissociate the backdoors.

  • Reply
?
  • Anonymous
  • M%i
  • 14 Apr 2018

Nexus 4 got official update to Android 5.1. I'm still using my Nexus 4 with a custom ROM and feel little need to upgrade.

  • Reply
K
  • Kd1995
  • gM8
  • 14 Apr 2018

But then you'll have to get a phone out of the 5 phones they put on flash sales

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 22

ADVERTISEMENTS

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • BlackBerry
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Vodafone
  • Energizer
  • Cat
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • BLU
  • Acer
  • Wiko
  • Panasonic
  • verykool
  • Plum

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENTS

Top 10 by daily interest

  Device Daily hits  
1.Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra38,404
2.Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro34,222
3.Samsung Galaxy Quantum 227,528
4.Sony Xperia 1 III27,235
5.Xiaomi Redmi Note 1027,153
6.Sony Xperia 5 III26,439
7.Xiaomi Poco F325,441
8.Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro24,884
9.Samsung Galaxy A7223,675
10.Samsung Galaxy A52 5G22,437
ADVERTISEMENTS

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS feed Youtube Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2000-2021 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Contact us Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data