Xiaomi is one of the largest producers of Android devices in the world, but unfortunately often fails to respect the timing of the release of the source code of the kernel, putting in difficulty the developers of Custom ROM that in the past have helped to make great the Chinese brand. In a open letter addressed to the staff of XDA Developers, Xiaomi said that things will change in the future.
According to the declaration, Xiaomi will aim to release the kernel source of a device within three months of its launch. The Chinese OEM also said it is making efforts to accelerate the release of the current source and kernel source code undertakes to comply with the terms of the General Public License (GPL) lining up with a company like Google, Sony and OnePlus that regularly issue kernel source code immediately after a device is launched. It should be noted that the decision is intended for future smartphones and not for those already released. This represents a departure for Xiaomi, which in the past has not made any public commitment of this kind.
As an Internet company, Xiaomi complies with the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is committed to ensuring effective compliance.
We are deploying all our resources to achieve sustainable growth and we are making efforts to accelerate the release of our kernel version. We want to make sure that every version is safe and stable.
So far, we have published kernel sources for many devices. Going forward, we aim to release the kernel source of a device within three months of its launch. "
At the moment, Xiaomi has released kernel source codes for over 40 of its devices but still 12 device are waiting considering that these are added to the various versions of Mi TV Box. In any case, this declaration represents a big step forward for the company that plan to plan is also making an incursion into Europe and that soon it will break even in the hearts of Italians.
What does Google have to do with it? The Android kernel is GNU / Linux, so the Linux Foundation should be pushing for the source release, not Google.
Yes, but it is Google that establishes requirements or dictates for the use of Android (and its software components).