Xiaomi and Microsoft signed a Strategic Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further deepen the partnership between the two companies. Microsoft’s technologies in cloud computing and AI will help in strengthening Xiaomi’s acceleration of its international expansion.
Based on the strategic MoU, Xiaomi and Microsoft’s cooperation will focus on the following aspects:
Cloud support: Xiaomi is in the process of expanding its user base in the global market. Xiaomi and Microsoft will explore utilising Microsoft Azure cloud platform to support Xiaomi’s user data storage, bandwidth, computing and other cloud services in international markets.
Laptop-type devices: Xiaomi will leverage Microsoft’s support for joint marketing, channel support, and future product development for Xiaomi’s laptop and laptop-type devices to penetrate international markets.
Microsoft Cortana and Mi AI Speaker: Both companies are discussing opportunities to integrate Cortana with Mi AI Speaker. Senior executives from both parties are involved to drive technology integration and collaboration for AI-powered speakers.
AI services collaboration: Xiaomi and Microsoft intend to explore multiple cooperative projects based on a broad range of Microsoft AI technologies, such as Computer Vision, Speech, Natural Language Processing, Text Input, Conversational AI, Knowledge Graph and Search, as well as related Microsoft AI products and services, such as Bing, Edge, Cortana, XiaoIce, SwiftKey, Translator, Pix, Cognitive Services and Skype. This cooperation in AI technologies and products, on top of Xiaomi’s experience in hardware, big data, and its device ecosystem, as well as the significant breakthroughs in core artificial intelligence technologies and products that Xiaomi has achieved, aims to generate even more synergy between hardware and software to the end-user experiences on Xiaomi devices.
Since 2015, Xiaomi has adopted Microsoft Azure operated by 21Vianet in China to run its Mi Cloud service for smartphone users; in June 2016, the two companies reached a global-scale partnership, and Xiaomi began to pre-install Microsoft Office and Skype apps on its Android-based smartphones and tablets, to benefit its customers with modern workforce and communication tools; at the same time, Microsoft and Xiaomi also reached intellectual property agreements, to help Xiaomi’s product go global compliantly.
On October 31st, 2017, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited Xiaomi’s retail store with Lei Jun, the founder, Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, and Satya showed interest in Xiaomi’s products and services. The strategic MoU signed today, further expands the potential of the cooperation between the two companies, and reveals more possibilities for technological innovations, new products and breakthrough businesses in the future.
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