Details on the strategic MoU signed by Xiaomi and Microsoft

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Last week, we reported that Xiaomi has signed a strategic MoU with Microsoft to collaborate on cloud, AI and laptop devices. Microsoft believes that its leading technologies in cloud computing and AI will help in strengthening Xiaomi’s leadership in mobile, smart devices and services, and contribute to the acceleration of its international expansion.

Their MoU will focus on the following aspects:

  • Cloud support: Xiaomi is in the process of rapidly expanding its user base in global market. Xiaomi and Microsoft will explore utilizing 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 on 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 deeper technology integration and collaboration for AI-powered speakers, a market segment projected to grow rapidly in the next few years.
  • 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 in-depth cooperation in AI technologies and products, on top of Xiaomi’s solid experience in smart hardware, big data, and its smart 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 enhance the end-user experiences on Xiaomi devices.

“Xiaomi is one of the most innovative companies in China, and it is becoming increasingly popular in various markets around the world. Microsoft’s unique strengths and experience in AI, as well as our products like Azure, will enable Xiaomi to develop more cutting-edge technology for everyone around the world,” said Dr. Harry Shum, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence and Research Group.

This is not the first collaboration between these two companies. In the past, Microsoft signed a deal with Xiaomi to pre-install Skype and Office apps in Xiaomi’s mobile devices worldwide. Xiaomi has also become a Windows OEM with products like Mi Notebook Air and Mi Notebook Pro. This new strategic MoU further expands the potential of the cooperation between the two companies.

Source: Microsoft

More about the topics: Details, microsoft, MoU, Partnership, Xiaomi