Xiaomi shows off new user interface and devices

 

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi unveiled its new Redmi Note 2 smartphone alongside its new custom ROM -- the MIUI 7, based on Android Lollipop at a press event held in Beijing on Thursday.

According to Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi Corp, since the first release of MIUI in August 2010, it has gone through 249 versions. There are now as many as 150 million MIUI users worldwide in 156 countries and territories.

Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi Corp, delivers keynote speech during the MIUI 7 launch event held on August 13 in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

MIUI 7 includes four different themes based on gender. For the increasing base of female customers, a pink theme named "Goddess" was designed to meet users' demand.

Meanwhile, by using facial recognition technology, the MIUI 7 users can search for images of certain people whose faces appear in photos stored in the Gallery app.

MIUI 7 has added a new video feature that works with contacts. When a certain party calls your phone, instead of hearing a ring tone, or even a custom ring tone, a video will play instead.

A Kids mode is now available with MIUI 7. This allows the owner of a Xiaomi phone to restrict what kids can see on the device.

Xiaomi has also introduced a unique MI Roaming app, which is something like a virtual SIM card when you travel. It allows users to buy a data package through Xiaomi for when they travel abroad rather than switch SIMs.

The MIUI 7 will be rolled out via over-the-air update to Mi 2, Mi 2S, Mi 2A, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi Note, Redmi, and Redmi Note users by today.

Redmi Note 2

Redmi Note 2 comes in 5 colors, namely white, black, pink, brown, and light blue. It is powered by Helio X10, Octa-core 64-bit, A53 architecture CPU and an MTK Flagship Processor.

"Redmi series are designed as the youth edition of Xiaomi smartphones, and the brand has been welcomed by the younger generation since its debut," said Lei.

According to the statistics from the company, one year and five months after the Redmi Note was announced, the shipping volume has reached more than 25.08 million units.

Priced at 799 yuan ($125), the phone will be accepted on preorder tomorrow on mi.com, the company's official website.

According to Lei, the first 1,000 Beijing buyers will be provided with door-to-door delivery service by the drivers from Didi Kuaidi, China's largest mobile-based car-booking company.

The company hasn't revealed availability plans for other markets yet, while details of the Indian market are believed to be announced on August 19th at the company's New Delhi event.