Xiaomi and Microsoft Sign Strategic Cooperation Memo to Push Xiaomi into the International Market

On the morning of February 23, Xiaomi and Microsoft signed a Strategic Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The two sides will further deepen their strategic partnership. Microsoft’s technology in cloud computing and artificial intelligence will be combined with Xiaomi‘s smart devices to help bring Xiaomi products into the international market.

According to the MoU, Xiaomi and Microsoft will cooperate mainly in the following areas:

Cloud service: Xiaomi and Microsoft are exploring how to provide Xiaomi with user data storage, bandwidth, computing and other services in the international market with the help of Azure, a Microsoft Intelligent Cloud Platform.

Laptops: Xiaomi and Microsoft will promote Xiaomi products to more global markets by joint marketing, distribution channel support and future Xiaomi laptop product development.

Microsoft Cortana and Xiaomi Smart Speaker: The two sides are discussing the possibility of integrating Microsoft Cortana and Xiaomi smart speakers into the international market.

AI cooperation: The two sides will further expand cooperation in the development and application of AI. The cooperation involves Microsoft AI technologies, such as computer vision, voice recognition, natural language processing, text input, conversational AI, knowledge base, and searching; as well as Microsoft products and services, such as Bing search engine, Edge browser, Microsoft Cortana, Microsoft Xiaoice (text-based chat-bot), SwiftKey (mobile keyboard), Microsoft Translator, PIX cameras, cognitive services, and Skype. The cooperation will also integrate Xiaomi IoT platform and AI products.

The MoU is not the first partnership between the two sides. Since 2015, Microsoft Azure provided cloud-based photo storage services for Xiaomi mobile phones.

In June 2016, Microsoft and Xiaomi further expanded their global partnership. Xiaomi pre-installed Microsoft Office and Skype in its Android smartphones and tablets.

Microsoft and Xiaomi has also partnered for licensing and transfer of patents, providing support for Xiaomi products to enter the international market.

At the end of last year, fundraising for Xiaomi‘s Mi Home launched a smart speaker with built-in Microsoft Xiaoice and Xiaomi AI assistant.

This article originally appeared in Sina Tech and was translated by Pandaily.