MIUI

MIUI
MIUI 9 interface screenshots
Developer Xiaomi
Written in C, C++, Java
OS family Unix-like
Working state Current
Source model Open source (Android Base and Main Framework) with Proprietary components (Miui Apps and Kits)
Initial release 0.8.16 / 16 August 2010 (2010-08-16)
Latest release MIUI:
10.0.2.0 China
10.0.2.0 Global
/ July 10, 2018 (2018-07-10)
Latest preview MIUI 10 Beta:
8.9.25 Global (30 August 2018)
China Stable has been released
Marketing target Alternative firmware replacement for Android devices;
Stock firmware for Xiaomi mobile devices
Available in 32 languages (varies by country)
Package manager Google Play (Global)
MI App Store (China)
APK files
Platforms 32-bit ARM, MIPS, x86, x64
Kernel type Monolithic, modified Linux kernel
License Apache License 2.0
GNU General Public License v3
Proprietary
Official website en.miui.com

MIUI (abbreviation of MI User Interface and pronounced as "Me You I")[1] is a stock and aftermarket firmware for smartphones and tablet computers developed by Xiaomi.[2] The firmware is based on Google's Android operating system.[3] MIUI includes various features such as theming support.[4]

Xiaomi has released various smartphones, all but Mi A1, Mi A2 and Mi A2 lite of which come pre-installed with a complete version of MIUI.[5] This has made various apps and features not available in the aftermarket version of MIUI.

Other than supporting their in-house smartphones and tablets, Xiaomi also offers MIUI to be flashed on other smartphone brands such as Samsung, Sony, HTC, BLU, OnePlus and Nexus.

On February 24, 2016, Xiaomi said that the MIUI ROM had over 170 million users worldwide, and was supported on over 340 handsets.

Development

The original MIUI ROMs were based on the Android 2.2.x Froyo and was initially developed in the Chinese language by Chinese startup Xiaomi Tech.[6] Xiaomi added a number of apps to enhance the basic framework; those include Notes, Backup, Music, and Gallery.[7] MIUI used to be translated and ported into unofficial versions in other languages by independent developers and groups of fansites. There are still unofficial ports being made but their popularity decreased after Xiaomi released their own cell phones. Updates are usually provided over-the-air every Thursday (CST).

MIUI and Google Play Services

Google has had disagreements with the Chinese government, and access to many Google services is blocked. MIUI does not ship with Google Play Services in mainland China. However, Xiaomi has expanded its operations outside China; MIUI releases for Android devices outside mainland China have Google Play Services and Google Apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Play Store pre-installed and functioning as on any other Android device. MIUI global versions are certified by Google.

Comparison of all MIUI variants

China Global Xiaomi.eu
Languages available Few, including Chinese and English Wide selection
Selection of downloadable themes All Some
Drag up search Yes

with international Bing and selection of Chinese search engines

 Google Yes
Smart Assistant App vault
Default source of apps Mi App Store Google Play

Additionally in India: Mi Picks[8]

 Google Play
Mi Cloud services All Some All
Updates Developer Stable Beta Stable Dev/Beta Stable
Highest priority.

Updated every Thursday

 Usually updated every two months[9] Updated every Thursday Usually updated every two months Updated every Friday Usually updated every two months
OTA Yes Yes; patches are not supported, so a complete new ROM is downloaded each time
Official Yes
(made by Xiaomi)		 Approved by the official distribution in the European Union.

Use on devices from the EU distribution does not void warranty.[10]

Made by fans gathered on Xiaomi.EU website.

Custom recovery requirement No Yes
Additional features
  • Optional access to various Chinese online services
  • built-in root support (unlocked bootloader is required)
 Optional access to various Chinese online services N/A
  • Additional icons for some third party apps
  • Unlocked some hardware features on selected devices
Supported Xiaomi devices All

excluding Redmi Note 3SE and Mi 4i (dropped)

Older devices may not be updated

 Majority

excluding devices never released outside PRC

Older devices may not be updated

 All cell phones

excluding Mi 4i (dropped)

Older devices may not be updated

MIUI vs. Android

Although the MIUI is built on the Android platform, the default user interface of its earlier iterations closely resembled iOS due to the absence of the application tray[11] with a grid of icons arrayed in the home panels. Other iOS similarities include the app icons being in a uniform shape, the dialer and in-call interface, the organization of the Settings app, and the visual appearance of toggles in the UI. This prompted some observers to cite how the devices running on MIUI could appeal to iOS users wanting to switch to the Android platform.[11] Recently, however, MIUI is increasingly shifting towards a design aesthetic that is more similar to the stock Android. Reports indicate, for instance, that several elements in the MIUI 10 build will closely resemble what Android P has brought into the table such as the multitasking menu and gesture controls.[12] This change was first seen in the MIUI 9 (ver. 8.5.11) that shipped with the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S. The MIUI firmware already looked like stock Android P.[13]

Another key difference that distinguishes MIUI from Android is the system's support for themes. Users can download theme packs from the Mi Market, which could drastically change the user interface of the device once installed. It even allows advanced users to tweak the hard-coded firmware of their handsets.[14]

Criticisms and controversies

MIUI's kernel was proprietary, and in breach of Linux kernel's GPL.[15][16] Due to criticism, source code for certain components was released to GitHub on 25 October 2013.[17] Kernel sources for a limited number of devices, including the Mi3, Mi4, MiNote, and Redmi 1S, were released in March 2015.[18]

Since MIUI V4, based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, Xiaomi added a virus scanning engine from partner company Tencent (formerly from Kingsoft, whose CEO appears to be the same person) despite the opposition of many users. Methods of removing it were published in the MIUI's Chinese forum,[19] since the engine was not found to be helpful.[20]

Also during the development of MIUI V4, Xiaomi started to remove Google Mobile Services (GMS) from their ROMs because of Chinese government policies that arose in response to Google's disagreements with the Chinese government. The government blocked access to all Google services on every platform, in mainland China, and all phones made for the Chinese market are required not to allow the installation of GMS. GMS is present in the global variant of MIUI, however.

In order to raise funds for the company, MIUI has its own online services from Xiaomi, including cloud services, paid themes and games (featuring the MiCredit digital currency).[21]

Version history

Version Screenshot Android version Last Beta release Initial Beta release Date of release Last Stable release Notable change
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI V1 2.1
 Unknown 0.8.16 16 August 2010 N/A Initial release
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI V2 2.1-2.3.6
Unknown Unknown Unknown N/A Redesigned user interface
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI V3 2.3.6 Old version, no longer supported: 2.4.20 Unknown Unknown N/A Redesigned user interface
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI V4 4.0.4 – 4.1.2 Old version, no longer supported: 3.2.22 Unknown Unknown ICS24.0[22]
  • New user interface
  • Added anti-virus
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI V5
4.1.2 – 4.4.2 Old version, no longer supported: 4.12.5 3.3.1 1 March 2013[23] 22.0[24]
  • New user interface
  • Google Services were removed from Chinese Version
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI 6
4.4.2 – 5.0.2 Old version, no longer supported: 5.8.6 4.8.29 29 August 2014[25] 6.7.2.0 New user interface
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI 7
4.4.2 – 6.0.1 Old version, no longer supported: 6.5.26 5.8.13 13 August 2015[26] 7.5.1.0 Locked bootloader on selected old devices and all released afterwards
Old version, no longer supported: MIUI 8 4.4.2 – 7.1.1 Old version, no longer supported: 7.7.20 6.6.16 16 June 2016[27] 8.5.10.0
  • Minor changes to the user interface
  • Updated system apps
  • Added support for Second Space and Dual apps.
Older version, yet still supported: MIUI 9
4.4.2 – 8.1.0 Old version, no longer supported: 8.5.24 7.8.10 10 August 2017 9.6.5.0
  • Minor changes to the user interface
  • Added split screen
  • Improved Notification Shade and QuickCard (currently known as App Vault)
  • New silent mode
  • Added key and gesture shortcuts.
Current stable version: MIUI 10 6.0 – 9.0.0 Current stable version: 8.9.25 8.6.14 19 June 2018[28] 10.0.2.0
  • New notification shade
  • Extended notifications' functionality
  • New recent apps screen, volume control, Clock, Calendar and Notes
  • Higher integration with XiaoAI
  • Minor changes to the user interface
  • Removed black theme (Mi Note 2)
  • Dropped devices run Android Lollipop or below other

See also

References

  1. ↑ About MIUI Video on YouTube
  2. ↑ [Announced]50 Beta Testers Wanted for Official nexusUI for Nougat 7 II. Apply here, MIUI, 26 February 2014, retrieved 5 March 2014
  3. ↑ http://tech.sina.com.cn/t/2011-07-28/01255847379.shtml
  4. ↑ MIUI Official English Site, en.miui.com, archived from the original on 15 February 2014, retrieved 16 March 2014
  5. ↑ Xiaomi Phone with MIUI OS: a $310 Android with 1.5 GHz dual-core SoC and other surprises, Engadget, 16 August 2011, retrieved 17 September 2011
  6. ↑ Jason Lim, MIUI, Lei Jun, TechNode, retrieved 17 January 2012
  7. ↑ MIUI Official English Site, archived from the original on 9 April 2014, retrieved 12 April 2014
  8. ↑ Forum, Xiaomi MIUI Official. "Mi Picks - pick your next favorite- officially launched! Give us your feedback! - App - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum". en.miui.com. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  9. ↑ "MIUI ROM Downloads". en.miui.com. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  10. ↑ "MIUI 9 - 7.8.10 - First Miui 9". Xiaomi European Community & Store. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  11. 1 2 Black, Marie. "What's the difference between TouchWiz, MIUI, EMUI, OxygenOS, LG UX and standard Android?". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  12. ↑ "MIUI 10 To Offer Updated Design, Its User Interface Leaks | Androidheadlines.com". AndroidHeadlines.com |. 2018-05-29. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  13. ↑ "Latest MIUI 9 build for the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 brings Android P-style UI changes". xda-developers. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  14. ↑ Pfeffermann, Nicole; Gould, Julie (2017). Strategy and Communication for Innovation: Integrative Perspectives on Innovation in the Digital Economy. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. p. 30. ISBN 9783319495408.
  15. ↑ "小米的MIUI被指违反GPL许可证" (in Chinese). Solidot. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "MIUI is accused of non-compliance with free software license, users request MIUI to be free software (MIUI被指责不遵守开源软件协议，网友要求公开源代码)" (in Chinese). tech2ipo. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Commits". GitHub. 25 October 2013.
  18. ↑ GitHub MiCode/Xiaomi_Kernel_OpenSource, GitHub, 31 March 2015, retrieved 8 April 2015
  19. ↑ "Search Results for virus scanning engine".
  20. ↑ "【实机亲侧】MIUI自带病毒扫描无任何安全防护作用！".
  21. ↑ "删除谷歌，内置杀毒，MIUI终于突破底线".
  22. ↑ "MIUI Official English Site - Redefining Android". 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  23. ↑ Forum, Xiaomi MIUI Official. "MIUI ROM 3.3.1 Changelog: MIUI V5 for Xiaomi MI2 Released!!! - MIUI General - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum". en.miui.com. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  24. ↑ Forum, Xiaomi MIUI Official. "MIUI Stable ROM (Global) KXDMIBF22.0 for MI3-WCDMA/CDMA Changelog & Download - Xiaomi Mi 3 - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum". en.miui.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  25. ↑ Forum, Xiaomi MIUI Official. "MIUI ROM 4.8.29 Full Changelog. MIUI 6 Released for Public! (Released) - MIUI General - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum". en.miui.com. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  26. ↑ Forum, Xiaomi MIUI Official. "About MIUI 7 China ROM 5.8.13. What Device Will MIUI 7 Global ROM Support First? - MIUI General - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum". en.miui.com. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  27. ↑ Forum, Xiaomi MIUI Official. "MIUI 8 China Developer ROM 6.6.16 Full Changelog & Supported Devices - MIUI General - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum". en.miui.com. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  28. ↑ "MIUI 10首批机型公测下载 - MIUI官方网站". www.miui.com. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.