14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced it will launch Windows 10 sometime this summer, but along with the release timeframe, the Redmond-based company also confirmed a few partnerships with Chinese companies like Lenovo, Tencent and Xiaomi.
It looks like Lenovo will start launching some Windows Phone handsets in mid-year 2015, while Xiaomi customers will be given the chance to test Windows 10 Technical Preview.
According to Microsoft, a group of Xiaomi Mi4 power users will receive invitations to help test Windows 10 and offer their feedback for its future release later this year.
These power users will be able to install Windows 10 Technical Preview and contribute with their ideas and bug reporting to the development of the OS.
Here is Microsoft’s short announcement regarding the partnership with Xiaomi: “Through a new program with Xiaomi, one of the top smartphone distributors in the world, a select group of Xiaomi Mi 4 power users will be invited to help test Windows 10 and contribute to its future release later this year.
“These power users will have the opportunity to download the Windows 10 Technical Preview – installing it and providing their feedback to Microsoft.”
The download and install procedures are unclear for now
However, it's unclear how an owner of Xiaomi Mi4, which is powered by Android OS, will be able to download and install Windows 10 Technical Preview on their smartphone. Perhaps Xiaomi will launch a special version of the Mi4, which will run some version of Windows Phone.
Or perhaps Microsoft is telling us that those select owners of Xiaomi Mi4 will be given access to Windows 10 Technical Preview for PC, which they will be able to test.
One thing is certain, Xiaomi and Microsoft have signed an agreement regarding Windows 10, which means we will see some Chinese Windows Phone handsets later this year.