Xiaomi has made a major announcement that will disappoint users of its first AI speaker. The company has officially announced that its first Xiaomi AI Speaker, equipped with Xiao Ai, will no longer receive any updates for new features. Additionally, many other models will now only receive security updates. In this article, we will look at which models are affected, what “functional updates stopped” means, and what users should do now.
Xiaomi AI Speaker and Xiao Ai: A Brief Overview
Xiaomi launched its first AI Speaker in July 2017, which featured the company’s own voice assistant technology, Xiao Ai. Its design was similar to a rectangular column and featured a 360-degree sound field, 6 digital microphones, and far-field voice control. At that time, it was a revolution in smart home technology.
What’s Changed Now?
Xiaomi has now announced that these AI speakers will no longer receive “functional updates.” This means:
| Update Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Functional Updates Stopped | No new features will be added, and no functionality-related issues will be fixed. |
| Only Security Updates | Only security updates will be provided, no help with features. |
| Security Updates Also Stopped | No updates will be provided at all, neither security nor features. |
Which Models Are Affected?
| Speaker Model | Launch Date | Update Stop Date | Update Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AI Speaker | July 2017 | May 14, 2025 | Functional updates stopped, only security updates |
| Xiao Ai Speaker Mini | March 27, 2018 | May 13, 2025 | Functional updates stopped |
| Xiaomi Xiaoai Speaker Play (2019) | June 18, 2019 | May 13, 2025 | Functional updates stopped |
| Redmi Xiaoai Speaker Play | December 10, 2019 | May 13, 2025 | Functional updates stopped |
| Xiaomi Xiaoai Speaker Universal Remote | June 12, 2019 | May 13, 2025 | Functional updates stopped |
| Xiaomi Xiaoai Speaker HD | January 8, 2019 | January 18, 2024 | Security updates also stopped |
For example, if you purchased the “Redmi Xiaoai Speaker Play” in 2019 and now want a new feature like Spotify integration, this will no longer be possible as functional updates have stopped. However, if a security issue is found, it will still be patched – but don’t expect new functionalities.
What Should Users Do Now?
- If your speaker is working, you can continue to use it as usual.
- If you want new features, consider purchasing new-generation AI speakers that may include the latest version of HyperOS or Xiao Ai.
- For data security, ensure that you continue updating your speaker as long as security updates are being provided.
Key Features of Xiaomi AI Speaker:
The design of the Xiaomi AI Speaker was similar to a rectangular column, featuring a 16 million color LED ring light, which gave it an attractive and stylish look. Its audio system had a 360-degree sound field, ensuring that sound could be heard from any direction. It also featured 6 digital microphones capable of capturing sound from a 360-degree range, providing users with the correct response to voice commands from any direction. Additionally, this speaker supported far-field voice control, meaning users could give voice commands from a distance without any hindrance. Its support for connectivity with smart home devices made it a very effective smart home device.
Conclusion
Xiaomi has announced the discontinuation of functional updates for its first Xiao Ai-equipped AI speaker, which is now nearly 8 years old. These speakers will now only receive security updates, with no new features or functionalities being added. Additionally, many other Xiaomi and Redmi AI speaker models will face the same update policy. This decision is part of the strategy to limit the lifespan of smart devices and move forward with new hardware. Users are advised to consider purchasing new speakers instead of relying on old models. If you own an old Xiaomi AI speaker, you will only benefit from security updates. This change reflects the company’s strategy of ending support for older products.
