Xiaomi devices receive Oreo, Treble support, and have kernel sources released

The Xiaomi Mi 6 received the update to Android Oreo this week. The device has had its Oreo beta testing program open for weeks but only just finally received the full stable update. 

The update to Oreo is, for the most part, one without any major system overhauls. Xiaomi usually brings system-wide updates on their MIUI updates, rather than Android updates, so users of the Mi 6 will likely not notice any major changes. The update did bring a number of fixes, though; most notably to the notifications panel, home screen, and lock screen. It also offers some app performance fixes and system-wide stability boosts.

Along with the update to Oreo, Xiaomi has also released Oreo kernel sources for the Mi 6 and Mix 2. The company has gained something of a bad rap for delaying kernel source releases but it looks like flagships get preferential treatment here. The release of kernel sources is sure to help with community support for the Mi 6 and Mi Mix 2. 

The Redmi 4X is another device to have its kernel sources released, with the budget device finally getting its shackles broken about eight months after it was launched. This comes a few weeks after the Mi A1's kernel sources were also released—following a social media campaign by the enthusiast community.

Meanwhile, the Mi 6 has also had Treble support implemented unofficially. Treble requires a vendor partition but is usually left to the OEM to implement. Xiaomi chose not to implement the feature with the Oreo update, however, so community developers have taken matters into their own hands and ported the feature to the device. This makes the Mi 6 the second device to have Treble implemented unofficially, after the success of the Redmi Note 4X a few weeks ago. 

Do note that the method used for porting is likely peculiar to Xiaomi devices, as the porting developers say they converted a MIUI-specific partition into the vendor partition required for Treble. This means that Xiaomi devices will be able to get Treble support without the company's intervention, as long as there are willing developers. It could also spell good news for devices from other OEMs that possess similar partitions to the MIUI partition that was converted.