Xiaomi's MIUI 7 launch event concluded on 19 August and here are excerpts from the event for those who missed it.
The main highlight of the event was the launch of Xiaomi's latest OS – MIUI 7 – based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. The new OS is packed with a range of features and improvements along with exclusive upgrades to the global version of the MIUI 7.
Sadly, the anticipation around the release of Redmi Note 2 was dampened since it was not launched. Instead, the Chinese tech giant unveiled the limited edition of its Mi4i smartphone in three new colours. To compete with mid-range rivals, the new Mi4i boasts of some notable upgrades.
Xiaomi Mi4i Limited Edition
The limited edition variant of the Mi4i smartphone features a 5-inch IPS display with upgraded Full HD (1920x1080) pixel resolution. Other features remain unchanged except for the new colours offered in addition to the existing white and dark grey variants in India. Buyers can now choose from blue, pink and yellow colours.
Xiaomi will commence sales of its new Mi4i smartphone in India on 25 August at the same price as the original Mi4i (Rs 12,999).
MIUI 7
The MIUI 7 stole the limelight at the event as the company's Global VP Hugo Barra demonstrated various features of the latest OS. Fans were impressed with the way the MIUI 7 takes the user experience to a whole new level on Mi smartphones. Xiaomi promised to roll out the MIUI 7 Beta on Monday to supported devices, including Redmi 1S, Redmi 2, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Redmi Note, and Redmi Note 4G.
Users can personalise their Mi smartphones with new themes on lock screen, automatic lock screen wallpaper changer, access to copyrighted images and more. Users can also create their own themes using a new web tool called Muse.
The MIUI 7 also improves response time by 30% compared to the MIUI 6, reduces boot time, improves performance and limits background functions to save up to 10% of battery, reports NDTV.
The MIUI 7 brings along new features in the Gallery app, which sorts photos of baby faces and creates albums. Other features include XXL Text to increase the size of the fonts, Showtime video to play videos for contacts when they call you.
What's more interesting is the fact that Xiaomi released some exclusive features for its MIUI 7 Global ROM. Features such as the Smart SMS filter that filters service messages into a separate notification tab, Visual IVR that helps in seamless navigation while calling customer service and a Quick OTP feature to help you during OTP-essential transactions.
In addition, the MIUI 7 also gets deeper integration with MI Band to activate Auto DND feature, which turns the paired phone to DND mode when the band detects the wearer is asleep.
"MIUI 7 is a fresh new take on our immensely popular operating system, well-loved by over 150 million users. With so many exciting new enhancements, you will be able to feel the difference the moment you power on your phone running MIUI 7. With more new system UIs to choose from, customised profile videos for calls using Showtime and a variety of personalisation options, MIUI 7 is truly 'Yours by Design'," Barra said in a statement, reports NDTV.
