Xiaomi, the company often referred to as
China's Apple, has teamed up with the
Android Open Kang Project (popularly
known as AOKP) for its MIUI 7 custom
user interface based on Android 5.1
Lollipop.
The news was confirmed via AOKP's
official blog that revealed both Xiaomi
and Team Kang were working closely on
MIUI 7, which will debut on the next
flagship smartphone, the Mi 5. For the
uninitiated, AOKP develops custom
Android ROMs for smartphones and
tablets, much like what Cyanogen does
with CyanogenMod.
The blog said, "With all the pieces of the
deal in place, I wish to announce that all
Team Kang members are working with
Xiaomi on a new and refreshed MIUI 7,
which will be finally based on Android
5.1, and be coming on the Mi 5."
The company revealed that MIUI 7 is
internally codenamed MiKangy, which
will see a new take on the Android UI. It
added that the new UI will include
popular features from top ROMs such as
CyanogenMod, ParanoidAndroid, Omni,
and AOKP to "create an experience which
completely submerges the user in his ow
world."
The ROM maker stresses that the
upcoming UI of the Mi 5 will evolve with
the user and after few months of usage,
the UI of each Mi 5 handset will have
personalised features.
According to the company, MarcLandis
will lead the technical development of
MIUI 7 aka MiKangy, while Zaphod will
oversee the product development.
The ROM maker also claimed that the tie
up with Xiaomi won't affect the future of
AOKP, discarding any acquisition
rumours - if any.
Xiaomi earlier this week announced a
price cut for the Mi 4, which ties-in well
with the company's plans for the Mi 5
release expected this year.
The Xiaomi Mi 4 will retail at CNY 1,799
(approximately Rs. 18,000) for the 16GB
variant down from the previous price tag
of CNY 1,999 (approximately Rs. 20,000)
While a 'lite' variant of the Xiaomi Mi 4
with 2GB of RAM instead of 3GB, will
retail at CNY 1,699 (approximately Rs.
17,000) - a CNY 100 price cut from the
earlier price of CNY 1,799. Notably, both
the Mi 4 variants would be available at
reduced priced starting April 8.
Xiaomi Mi 5 to Launch With MIUI 7 Based on Android 5.1 Lollipop | NDTV Gadgets
