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Xiaomi has 15,000 employees<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.miui.com/res/doc/eula/en.html |title=User Agreement |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=miui.com |accessdate=5 June 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606235807/http://www.miui.com/res/doc/eula/en.html |archivedate=6 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> in China, India, Malaysia,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oizoioi.com.my/blog/xiaomi-vs-huawei/ |title=How China's Xiaomi Beats Huawei in Malaysia |last=Eilers |first=Chris |date=24 June 2014 |website=Oizoioi Malaysia Tech Blog |accessdate=28 June 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628030721/http://oizoioi.com.my/blog/xiaomi-vs-huawei/ |archivedate=28 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Singapore and is expanding to other countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Russell|first1=Jon|title=Xiaomi Expands Its Empire To Brazil, Will Sell First Smartphone There July 7|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/30/xiaomi-brasil/|website=Tech Crunch|date=30 June 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150702082448/https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/30/xiaomi-brasil/|archivedate=2 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=28 August 2013 |title=Xiaomi, What Americans Need To Know |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/08/28/xiaomi-what-americans-need-to-know/ |newspaper=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |accessdate=28 August 2013 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830013219/http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/28/xiaomi-what-americans-need-to-know/ |archivedate=30 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> According to ''Forbes'' magazine, [[Lei Jun]], the founder and CEO, has an estimated net worth of US$12.5 billion.<ref name="caixinglobal.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-07-06/xiaomi-ceo-tries-to-follow-in-steve-jobs-footsteps-101304441.html|title=Xiaomi CEO Tries to Follow in Steve Jobs’ Footsteps - Caixin Global|website=www.caixinglobal.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref> He is China's 11th richest person and 118th in the world.<ref name="caixinglobal.com"/> Xiaomi is the world's 4th most valuable technology start-up after receiving US$1.1 billion funding from investors, making Xiaomi's valuation more than US$46 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/xiaomi-raises-another-11-billion-to-become-most-valuable-tech-start-up-2014-12-29 |title=Xiaomi raises another $1.1 billion to become most-valuable tech start-up |date=29 December 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201448/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/xiaomi-raises-another-11-billion-to-become-most-valuable-tech-start-up-2014-12-29 |archivedate=3 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
Xiaomi has 15,000 employees<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.miui.com/res/doc/eula/en.html |title=User Agreement |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=miui.com |accessdate=5 June 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606235807/http://www.miui.com/res/doc/eula/en.html |archivedate=6 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> in China, India, Malaysia,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oizoioi.com.my/blog/xiaomi-vs-huawei/ |title=How China's Xiaomi Beats Huawei in Malaysia |last=Eilers |first=Chris |date=24 June 2014 |website=Oizoioi Malaysia Tech Blog |accessdate=28 June 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628030721/http://oizoioi.com.my/blog/xiaomi-vs-huawei/ |archivedate=28 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Singapore and is expanding to other countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Russell|first1=Jon|title=Xiaomi Expands Its Empire To Brazil, Will Sell First Smartphone There July 7|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/30/xiaomi-brasil/|website=Tech Crunch|date=30 June 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150702082448/https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/30/xiaomi-brasil/|archivedate=2 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=28 August 2013 |title=Xiaomi, What Americans Need To Know |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/08/28/xiaomi-what-americans-need-to-know/ |newspaper=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |accessdate=28 August 2013 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830013219/http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/28/xiaomi-what-americans-need-to-know/ |archivedate=30 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> According to ''Forbes'' magazine, [[Lei Jun]], the founder and CEO, has an estimated net worth of US$12.5 billion.<ref name="caixinglobal.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-07-06/xiaomi-ceo-tries-to-follow-in-steve-jobs-footsteps-101304441.html|title=Xiaomi CEO Tries to Follow in Steve Jobs’ Footsteps - Caixin Global|website=www.caixinglobal.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref> He is China's 11th richest person and 118th in the world.<ref name="caixinglobal.com"/> Xiaomi is the world's 4th most valuable technology start-up after receiving US$1.1 billion funding from investors, making Xiaomi's valuation more than US$46 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/xiaomi-raises-another-11-billion-to-become-most-valuable-tech-start-up-2014-12-29 |title=Xiaomi raises another $1.1 billion to become most-valuable tech start-up |date=29 December 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201448/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/xiaomi-raises-another-11-billion-to-become-most-valuable-tech-start-up-2014-12-29 |archivedate=3 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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=== 2010 === |
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{{Main|History of Xiaomi}} |
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On 6 April 2010 |
On 6 April 2010 Xiaomi was co-founded by [[Lei Jun]] and six |
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* Lin Bin, vice president of the [[Google China]] Institute of Engineering |
* Lin Bin, vice president of the [[Google China]] Institute of Engineering |
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* Dr Zhou Guangping, senior director of the Motorola Beijing R&D center |
* Dr Zhou Guangping, senior director of the Motorola Beijing R&D center |
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* Liu De, department head of industrial design at the [[Beijing Institute of Technology]] |
* Liu De, department head of industrial design at the [[Beijing Institute of Technology]] |
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* Li Wanqiang, general manager of [[Kingsoft]] Dictionary |
* Li Wanqiang, general manager of [[Kingsoft]] Dictionary |
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* Wong Kong-Kat, principal development manager |
* Wong Kong-Kat, principal development manager |
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* Hong Feng, senior product manager for Google China |
* Hong Feng, senior product manager for Google China |
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In the first round of funding, institutional investors included [[Temasek Holdings]], IDG Capital, Qiming Venture Partners<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html |title=Challenging Apple by Imitation |work=The New York Times |date=29 October 2012 |accessdate=15 August 2013 |first=Sue-Lin |last=Wong |url-status=live |
In the first round of funding, institutional investors included [[Temasek Holdings]], IDG Capital, Qiming Venture Partners<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html |title=Challenging Apple by Imitation |work=The New York Times |date=29 October 2012 |accessdate=15 August 2013 |first=Sue-Lin |last=Wong |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507214352/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html |archivedate=7 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Qualcomm]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Xiaomi the money! Who is this mobile company that's poaching Tech's top shelf talent?|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047772/xiaomi-the-money-who-is-this-mobile-company-thats-poaching-techs-top-shelf-talent-.html|work=PC World|accessdate=27 November 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203040741/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047772/xiaomi-the-money-who-is-this-mobile-company-thats-poaching-techs-top-shelf-talent-.html|archivedate=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 16 August 2010, Xiaomi officially launched its first [[Android (operating system)|Android]]-based firmware [[MIUI]].<ref>{{cite web|title=小米联合创始人、副总裁洪锋谈MIUI设计成长之路|url=http://www.csdn.net/article/2013-08-29/2816751|publisher=csdn.net|accessdate=3 October 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011343/http://www.csdn.net/article/2013-08-29/2816751|archivedate=5 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It resembles [[Touchwiz|Samsung's TouchWiz]] and [[iOS|Apple's iOS]]. |
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=== 2011 === |
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The [[Xiaomi Mi1|Xiaomi Mi 1]] [[smartphone]] was announced in August 2011. It has Xiaomi's [[MIUI]] firmware. The device could also be installed with stock Android.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xiaomi Phone with MIUI OS: a $310 Android with 1.5GHz dual-core SoC and other surprises|work=Engadget|date=16 August 2011|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/08/16/xiaomi-m1-with-miui-os-a-310-phone-with-1-5ghz-dual-core-soc-a/|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923184903/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/16/xiaomi-m1-with-miui-os-a-310-phone-with-1-5ghz-dual-core-soc-a |archivedate=23 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2012 === |
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In August 2012 Xiaomi announced the [[Xiaomi Mi2|Xiaomi Mi 2]] [[smartphone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/11/14/xiaomi-phone-2-mi-two-review/|title=Xiaomi Phone 2 Review|work=[[Engadget]]|date=14 November 2012|accessdate=15 August 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807112140/http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/14/xiaomi-phone-2-mi-two-review/|archivedate=7 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2013 === |
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On 24 September 2013 Xiaomi sold over 10 million [[Xiaomi Mi2|Mi 2]] phones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/24/chinese-smartphone-maker-xiaomi-says-it-sold-10-million-mi-2-smartphones-198010 |title=Chinese Smartphone Maker Xiaomi Says It Sold 10 Million Mi-2 smartphones |publisher=CEOWORLD Magazine |accessdate=24 September 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927074944/http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/24/chinese-smartphone-maker-xiaomi-says-it-sold-10-million-mi-2-smartphones-198010 |archivedate=27 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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On 5 September 2013, Xiaomi CEO [[Lei Jun]] announced plans to launch an Android-based 47-inch 3D-capable Smart TV,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/05/chinese-tech-sensation-xiaomi-launches-an-android-based-47-inch-3d-capable-smart-tv |title=Chinese Tech Sensation Xiaomi Launches An Android-Based 47-inch 3D-Capable Smart TV |publisher=CEOWORLD Magazine |accessdate=5 September 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909032231/http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/05/chinese-tech-sensation-xiaomi-launches-an-android-based-47-inch-3d-capable-smart-tv |archivedate=9 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> which will be assembled by [[Sony]] TV manufacturer [[Wistron Corporation]] of Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lawler |first=Richard |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/xiaomi-miphone-3-xiaomi-tv-china-android/ |title=Xiaomi unveils new Android-powered 5-inch MI3, 47-inch smart TV in China |work=Engadget |date=28 August 2013 |accessdate=5 September 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907203327/http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/05/xiaomi-miphone-3-xiaomi-tv-china-android/ |archivedate=7 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The company explained the choice as to take advantage of Wistron's skill as a supplier of Sony.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-09/xiaomi-says-sony-supplier-wistron-will-make-its-first-smart-tvs.html |title=Xiaomi Says Sony Supplier Wistron Will Make Its Smart TVs |publisher=Bloomberg |accessdate=9 September 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911205029/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-09/xiaomi-says-sony-supplier-wistron-will-make-its-first-smart-tvs.html |archivedate=11 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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In September 2013, Xiaomi announced its [[Xiaomi Mi3|Mi 3]] phone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naijainformation.com/2014/10/xiaomi-mi-3-price-full-features-and.html|title=Xiaomi Phone Mi3 Review|work=naijainformation|date=31 October 2013|accessdate=19 June 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814224917/http://www.naijainformation.com/2014/10/xiaomi-mi-3-price-full-features-and.html|archivedate=14 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 25 September 2013, Xiaomi announced plans to open its first service center in [[Beijing]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bischoff |first=Paul |url=http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-store-beijing-opening-soon/ |title=Xiaomi opens biggest ever service center in Beijing, looks like a store |publisher=Techinasia.com |accessdate=26 September 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925183319/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-store-beijing-opening-soon/ |archivedate=25 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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By October 2013 Xiaomi was the fifth-most-used smartphone brand in China.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20131003PR207.html |title=Xiaomi outperforms HTC to become fifth most used smartphone brand in China, says TrendForce |publisher=Digitimes.com |accessdate=5 October 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010715/http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20131003PR207.html |archivedate=5 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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In 2013 it sold 18.7 million smartphones.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-sold-26-million-phones-in-first-half-2014/|title= Xiaomi sells 26.1 million smartphones in first half of 2014, still on target for 60 million this year|author= Steven Millward|date= 2 July 2014|accessdate= 9 September 2014|work= Tech In Asia|url-status= live|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140907230636/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-sold-26-million-phones-in-first-half-2014/|archivedate= 7 September 2014|df= dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2014 === |
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In 2014 Xiaomi announced its expansion outside China, with their first international headquarters in [[Singapore]]. Future product launches and activities in the region will be set up there.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xiaomi to Set Up International Headquarters in Singapore|url=http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-xiaomi-set-international-headquarters-singapore|work=19 February 2014|publisher=Hardwarezone|accessdate=19 February 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226201054/http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-xiaomi-set-international-headquarters-singapore|archivedate=26 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Following Singapore, the company opened in Malaysia, Philippines and India,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mi.com/in|title=Mi India|website=mi.com/in|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712033959/http://www.mi.com/in/|archivedate=12 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and plans to enter Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico in the following months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/04/23/xiaomi-launches-two-routers-and-a-revamped-set-top-box-will-expand-to-10-more-countries-this-year/|title=Xiaomi launches two routers and a revamped set-top box, will expand to 10 more countries this years|work=23 April 2014|publisher=The Next Web|accessdate=23 April 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425093958/http://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/04/23/xiaomi-launches-two-routers-and-a-revamped-set-top-box-will-expand-to-10-more-countries-this-year/|archivedate=25 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 21 February 2014 Xiaomi's [[Redmi]] and Mi 3 phone were released in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xiaomi Mi-3 launches in Singapore on March 7 |url=http://asia.cnet.com/xiaomi-mi-3-launches-in-singapore-on-march-7-62223671.htm |publisher=CNET |accessdate=19 February 2014 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223093014/http://asia.cnet.com/xiaomi-mi-3-launches-in-singapore-on-march-7-62223671.htm |archivedate=23 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Xiaomi's Redmi to be available in Singapore on 21 Feb |url=http://asia.cnet.com/xiaomis-redmi-to-be-available-in-singapore-on-21-feb-62223643.htm |publisher=CNET |accessdate=19 February 2014 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223035737/http://asia.cnet.com/xiaomis-redmi-to-be-available-in-singapore-on-21-feb-62223643.htm |archivedate=23 February 2014 }}</ref> The [[Xiaomi Mi3|Xiaomi Mi 3]] batches were sold out within 2 minutes of the opening day sale in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|title=According to Xiaomi Singapore, Xiaomi Mi 3 sold in 2 minutes in today's open sale!|url=https://plus.google.com/115919075196257960362/posts/8MNTrGsN3VQ|publisher=xiaomi.sg|accessdate=7 March 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015195001/https://plus.google.com/115919075196257960362/posts/8MNTrGsN3VQ|archivedate=15 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In March 2014, Xiaomi Store Australia (an unrelated business) began selling Xiaomi mobile phones online in Australia through its website, <nowiki>XiaomiStore.com.au</nowiki>.<ref name="Oz">[https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/552482/exclusive_xiaomi_global_shuts_down_australian_online_stores/ ''PC World'': "Xiaomi Global shuts down Australian online stores"] Tony Ibrahim (PC World) on 15 August 2014 10:29. Accessed 2019-03-09</ref> However, they traded for only a few months, as Xiaomi soon "requested" that the store be shut down on (or by) 25 July 2014.<ref name="Oz"/> Shortly after sales were halted, the website itself was also taken down, on 7 August 2014.<ref name="Oz"/> An industry commentator described the action by Xiaomi to get the Australian website closed down as unprecedented, saying, “I’ve never come across this <nowiki>[before]</nowiki>. It would have to be a strategic move.” <ref name="Oz"/> At the time this left only one online vendor selling Xiaomi mobile phones into Australia, namely Yatango (formerly MobiCity), which was based in Hong Kong<ref name="Oz"/> — although this business closed in late 2015.<ref>[https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/yatango-shopping-online-website-goes-white-leaving-customers-thousands-of-dollars-out-of-pocket/news-story/6b44610ecba81527021e46118f8f9c43 "Yatango Shopping online website goes white leaving customers thousands of dollars out of pocket"], Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson |
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News Corp Australia Network, 29 November 2015 2:46pm. Accessed 2019-03-09.</ref> |
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On 17 March 2014, Redmi Note [[phablet]] was announced by Xiaomi CEO [[Lei Jun]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Xiaomi Redmi Note to be unveiled on March 19th!|url=http://www.intomobile.com/2014/03/17/xiaomi-redmi-note-unveiled-march-19th/|work=17 February 2014|publisher=Intomobile|accessdate=18 February 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318153344/http://www.intomobile.com/2014/03/17/xiaomi-redmi-note-unveiled-march-19th/|archivedate=18 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In April 2014 Xiaomi purchased the Internet domain mi.com for a record {{USD|3.6 million}}, the most expensive domain name ever bought in China, replacing xiaomi.com as the official Xiaomi domain.<ref>{{cite web|title=XiaoMi Purchased Mi.com Domain For A Record $3.6 Million, New URL For Global Users|url=http://gsminsider.com/2014/04/xiaomi-purchased-mi-com-domain-record-3-6-million-new-url-global-users/|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812124254/http://gsminsider.com/2014/04/xiaomi-purchased-mi-com-domain-record-3-6-million-new-url-global-users/|archivedate=12 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In November 2014 Xiaomi said it would invest US$1 billion in television content building.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/xiaomi-television/chinas-xiaomi-says-to-invest-1-bln-in-tv-content-building-idUSB9N0SF00420141104|title= China's Xiaomi says to invest $1 billion in TV content building|publisher= [[Reuters]]|date= 4 November 2014|accessdate= 4 November 2014|url-status= live|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020303/https://www.reuters.com/article/xiaomi-television/chinas-xiaomi-says-to-invest-1-bln-in-tv-content-building-idUSB9N0SF00420141104|archivedate= 22 March 2018|df= dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In December 2014 Xiaomi completed a round of equity financing led by Hong Kong-based technology fund All-Stars Investment Limited, a fund run by former [[Morgan Stanley]] analyst Richard Ji<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allstarsinvestment.com|title= Team Profile - All-Stars Investment Limited|publisher= allstarsinvestment.com|accessdate= 21 December 2014|url-status= live|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20141221043816/http://www.allstarsinvestment.com/|archivedate= 21 December 2014|df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-raises-over-1-billion-valuation-exceeds-45-billion-2014-12?op=1|title= The ‘Apple Of China’ Raises Over $1 Billion, Valuation Skyrockets To More Than $45 Billion|publisher= businessinsider.com|date= 20 December 2014|accessdate= 20 December 2014|url-status= live|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20141221011325/http://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-raises-over-1-billion-valuation-exceeds-45-billion-2014-12?op=1|archivedate= 21 December 2014|df= dmy-all}}</ref> raising over US$1 billion, with a valuation of more than US$45 billion making it one of the most valuable private technology companies in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-xiaomi-raises-over-1-billion-in-investment-round-1419093589|title= China's Xiaomi Raises Over $1 Billion in Investment Round|work= The Wall Street Journal|date= 20 December 2014|accessdate= 20 December 2014|first= Juro|last= Osawa|url-status= live|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20141220195012/http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-xiaomi-raises-over-1-billion-in-investment-round-1419093589|archivedate= 20 December 2014|df= dmy-all}}</ref> |
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The company sold over 60 million smartphones in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/03/xiaomi-2014/|title=Xiaomi Confirms It Sold 61M Phones In 2014, Has Plans To Expand To More Countries|author1=Jon Russell|date=3 January 2015|work=TechCrunch|publisher=AOL|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031060234/https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/03/xiaomi-2014/ |archivedate=31 October 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2015 === |
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In April 2015 Xiaomi announced it would make its Mi devices available through two of India's major e-commerce sites and through offline retailers for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Russell|first1=Jon|title=Xiaomi Expands Its Online Retail Channels In India And Inks First Offline Sales Deals|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/07/xiaomi-is-coming-for-you-india/|accessdate=16 May 2016|work=TechCrunch|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421212340/http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/07/xiaomi-is-coming-for-you-india/|archivedate=21 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 23 April 2015, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun and VP Hugo Barra came together to announce a new smartphone named [[Xiaomi Mi1s|Mi 1s]] in India, the first phone to be launched in India before any other country. The Xiaomi Mi Band was also launched in the same event. |
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On 27 April 2015, it was reported [[Ratan Tata]] had acquired a stake in Xiaomi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/ratan-tata-acquires-stake-in-chinese-handset-maker-xiaomi/1/218596.html|title=Ratan Tata acquires stake in Chinese handset maker Xiaomi|date=27 April 2015|work=Businesstoday|accessdate=29 April 2015|agency=Press Trust of India|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429162423/http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/ratan-tata-acquires-stake-in-chinese-handset-maker-xiaomi/1/218596.html|archivedate=29 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://computer.financialexpress.com/news/ratan-tata-acquires-stake-in-xiaomi/11627/|title=Ratan Tata acquires stake in Xiaomi|date=28 April 2015|work=Express Computer|accessdate=29 April 2015|agency=Press Trust of India|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516011134/http://computer.financialexpress.com/news/ratan-tata-acquires-stake-in-xiaomi/11627/|archivedate=16 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 30 June 2015, Xiaomi announced its expansion into Brazil with the launch of locally manufactured [[Redmi|Redmi 2]]; it is the first time the company assembled a smartphone outside of China.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chao|first1=Loretta|title=Xiaomi Launches Its First Smartphone Outside Asia|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/xiaomi-smartphone-launch-in-brazil-is-first-outside-asia-1435681937?mod=WSJ_TechWSJD_moreTopStories|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=1 July 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206112004/https://www.wsj.com/articles/xiaomi-smartphone-launch-in-brazil-is-first-outside-asia-1435681937?mod=WSJ_TechWSJD_moreTopStories|archivedate=6 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2016 === |
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On 24 February 2016, Xiaomi launched the Mi 5 smartphone. |
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On 9 March 2016, Xiaomi launched its Redmi Note 3 in India. It was a groundbreaking smartphone at the time in the budget segment, and was well received by Indian customers. It made record sales on the year, and Xiaomi brand name continued to grow. |
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On 10 May 2016, Xiaomi launched the Mi Max.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/5/10/11648034/xiaomi-mimax-announcement-specs-price|title=Xiaomi's biggest phone yet is the giant MiMax|last=Byford|first=Sam|website=The Verge|access-date=11 May 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510183203/http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/5/10/11648034/xiaomi-mimax-announcement-specs-price|archivedate=10 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://techchari.com/mobile/android/xiaomi-mi-max-specifications-features-all-you-need-to-know/|title=Xiaomi Mi Max: Specifications, Features & All You Need To Know - Tech Chari|website=Tech Chari|access-date=11 May 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513073831/http://techchari.com/mobile/android/xiaomi-mi-max-specifications-features-all-you-need-to-know/|archivedate=13 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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Shortly after starting operations in Brazil the company left the country in the second half of 2016.<ref>{{cite web | title=Xiaomi abandona lojas virtuais e some da internet brasileira | website=TechTudo | date=8 February 2012 | url=http://www.techtudo.com.br/noticias/noticia/2017/01/xiaomi-abandona-lojas-virtuais-e-some-da-internet-brasileira.html | language=pt | access-date=25 September 2017 | url-status=live| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925180551/http://www.techtudo.com.br/noticias/noticia/2017/01/xiaomi-abandona-lojas-virtuais-e-some-da-internet-brasileira.html | archivedate=25 September 2017 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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In July 2016 Chinese artists as [[Liu Shishi]], [[Wu Xiubo]] and [[Liu Haoran]] became the first ambassadors of Xiaomi's [[Redmi]] series in [[China]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://gsminsider.com/2016/07/xiaomi-unveils-three-ambassadors-of-redmi-series-in-china/ |title= Xiaomi unveils three ambassadors of Redmi series in China |publisher= GSM INSIDER |accessdate= 12 July 2016 |url-status= live|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160724055442/http://gsminsider.com/2016/07/xiaomi-unveils-three-ambassadors-of-redmi-series-in-china/ |archivedate= 24 July 2016 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> |
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In August 2016 Xiaomi entered Bangladesh via Solar Electro Bangladesh Limited.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2016-08/19/content_26530468.htm|title=China's Xiaomi smartphones launched in Bangladesh - Business - Chinadaily.com.cn|last=宋静丽|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2018-04-29}}</ref> |
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In September 2016 Xiaomi's cell phones became officially available in the European Union through their partnership with ABC Data.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.channelnomics.eu/channelnomics-eu/news/2472005/chinese-device-giant-xiaomi-makes-european-channel-debut-with-abc-data|title=Chinese device giant Xiaomi makes European channel debut with ABC Data|work=www.channelnomics.eu|access-date=25 December 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111144746/http://www.channelnomics.eu/channelnomics-eu/news/2472005/chinese-device-giant-xiaomi-makes-european-channel-debut-with-abc-data|archivedate=11 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2017 === |
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On 20 February, Xiaomi officially launched in Pakistan and brought its Mi and Redmi Note lineup to the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://propakistani.pk/2017/02/11/official-xiaomi-launching-pakistan-feb-20th/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2018-04-06 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215053326/https://propakistani.pk/2017/02/11/official-xiaomi-launching-pakistan-feb-20th/ |archivedate=15 December 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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On 19 April, Xiaomi launched [[Mi 6]], its flagship phone at the time. |
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In May, Xiaomi opened two MI Home stores; one in Bangalore (India) and one in Bangladesh. It is the first of several planned for the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/12/xiaomi-mi-home-store-india/|title=Xiaomi puts the focus on India with plans to open 100 retail stores {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Russell|first=Jon|access-date=19 June 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604000631/https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/12/xiaomi-mi-home-store-india/|archivedate=4 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 25 May, Xiaomi released Mi Max 2. |
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On 26 August, new MIUI v9 alongside Mi 5x has been released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=734538&highlight=7.8.10|title=MIUI 9 China Developer ROM 7.8.10 Changelog Preview: A Lightening Fast System - MIUI General - Xiaomi MIUI Official Forum|last=Forum|first=Xiaomi MIUI Official|website=en.miui.com|access-date=10 August 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811011810/http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=734538&highlight=7.8.10|archivedate=11 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 31 August, Xiaomi opened its first flagship Mi Store in Faisalabad, Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://propakistani.pk/2017/08/31/breaking-xiaomi-opening-first-physical-store-pakistan-today|title=Xiaomi opens Mi Store in Faisalabad, Pakistan|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230114909/https://propakistani.pk/2017/08/31/breaking-xiaomi-opening-first-physical-store-pakistan-today/|archivedate=30 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 5 September Xiaomi released [[Xiaomi Mi A1|Mi A1]], which is the first [[Android One]] smartphone under the slogan: Created by Xiaomi, Powered by Google. In the event key note Xiaomi stated they started working with Google for the Mi A1 Android One smartphone almost six months ago. An alternate version of the phone is also available with MIUI and is known as MI 5X. |
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In September Xiaomi released [[Xiaomi Mi MIX 2|Mi MIX 2]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/xiaomi-mi-mix-2-4397|title=Xiaomi Mi MIX 2|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201193025/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/xiaomi-mi-mix-2-4397|archivedate=1 February 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In October, the [[European Union|EU]]'s first Mi Store has been opened in [[Athens]], [[Greece]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.techniktest-online.de/allgemein/xiaomi-store-eroeffnet-in-athen/|title=Xiaomi in Europa? - Xiaomi Store eröffnet in Athen - Techniktest-Online|date=8 October 2017|work=Techniktest-Online|access-date=26 February 2018|language=de-DE|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227040432/https://www.techniktest-online.de/allgemein/xiaomi-store-eroeffnet-in-athen/|archivedate=27 February 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 7 November, Xiaomi started operating in Spain, making available the Mi A1 and Mi Mix 2 smartphones.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/7/16610720/xiaomi-spain-mi-mix-2-launch-europe-android-business|title=Xiaomi expands into western Europe with flagship Mi Mix 2 at the vanguard|access-date=7 November 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107130219/https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/7/16610720/xiaomi-spain-mi-mix-2-launch-europe-android-business|archivedate=7 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In Q3 2017, Xiaomi overtook Samsung to become the number one smartphone brand in India. Xiaomi has sold 9.2 million units during this period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/xiaomi-catches-up-with-samsung-to-become-india-top-smartphone-company-on-back-of-redmi-note-4-1095666-2017-11-14|title=Xiaomi joins Samsung to become India's top smartphone company on back of Redmi Note 4|date=14 November 2017|website=India Today|language=en-US|access-date=19 January 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119175525/https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/xiaomi-catches-up-with-samsung-to-become-india-top-smartphone-company-on-back-of-redmi-note-4-1095666-2017-11-14|archivedate=19 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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=== 2018 === |
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On 20 February, Xiaomi opened their first Mi Store in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_opens_first_mi_store_in_philippines-news-29695.php|title=Xiaomi opens first Mi Store in Philippines|work=GSMArena.com|access-date=20 February 2018|language=en-US|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220135645/https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_opens_first_mi_store_in_philippines-news-29695.php|archivedate=20 February 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In March 2018, at China's annual legislative session in Beijing, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced that Xiaomi has "always been considering entering the US market" and will launch in the US smartphone market by late 2018 or early 2019. Xiaomi already sells assorted items in the US such as [[Battery charger|power banks]] and Bluetooth speakers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/xiaomi-set-to-enter-u-s-smartphone-market-as-early-as-this-year-1520235047|title=Xiaomi Set to Enter U.S. Smartphone Market as Early as This Year|last=Lin|first=Liza|date=5 March 2018|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=5 March 2018|last2=Strumpf|first2=Dan|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305073644/https://www.wsj.com/articles/xiaomi-set-to-enter-u-s-smartphone-market-as-early-as-this-year-1520235047|archivedate=5 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 3 April 2018, Xiaomi launched the Mix 2S model which is a successor of Mix 2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gadgetsnow.com/mobiles/xiaomi-mi-mix-2s-launched-price-specifications-and-more/articleshow/63478463.cms|title=Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S launched|date=27 March 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401003730/https://www.gadgetsnow.com/mobiles/xiaomi-mi-mix-2s-launched-price-specifications-and-more/articleshow/63478463.cms|archivedate=1 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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On 25 April 2018, Xiaomi launched the Mi 6X, a successor of [[Xiaomi Mi A1|Mi 5X]]. |
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On 22 May 2018, Xiaomi will open, in Paris, its first French store.<ref>http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2018/04/26/le-fabricant-chinois-de-smartphones-xiaomi-prepare-son-arrivee-en-france_5291143_3234.html</ref> |
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On May 3, 2018, Xiaomi filled to go public on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] and aims to raise $10 billion in [[Initial public offering|IPO]] which is expected to be the world’s biggest IPO raise since 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/02/technology/xiaomi-ipo-hong-kong/index.html|title=Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi files for huge Hong Kong IPO|last=Pham|first=Jethro Mullen and Sherisse|work=CNNMoney|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref> |
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On May 3. 2018, Xiaomi announced in partnership with [[3 (telecommunications)]] to sell smartphones in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/3/17315420/xiaomi-availability-europe-ck-hutchison|title=Xiaomi’s availability is expanding in Europe|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref> |
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In May 2018, Xiaomi began selling some of their smart home products in the United States through [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/10/xiaomi-is-bringing-its-smart-home-devices-to-the-us-but-still-no-phones-yet/|title=Xiaomi is bringing its smart home devices to the US — but still no phones yet|last=Russell|first=Jon|date=10 May 2018|work=[[TechCrunch]]|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> |
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In September 2018, Xiaomi launched its 4th 'Mi Home' experience store in India.<ref>https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/article/xiaomi-opens-4th-mi-home-experience-store-in-india/290518</ref> They also launched their products in the UK, offering UK customers to purchase without customs fees. |
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=== 2019 === |
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In March 2019, Xiaomi was named one of the qualified applicants for the virtual bank licenses in Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=205826&sid=2|title=Virtual banks set to go this week|website=The Standard|language=en|access-date=2019-05-08}}</ref> Company also has introduced [https://vosveteit.sk/smartfon-xiaomi-mi-9-je-oficialne-predstaveny/ Xiaomi Mi 9] phone which has come with fingerprint scanner in display. It was second phone of the brand with this technology available on market. |
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== Etymology == |
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''Xiaomi'' is the Chinese word for "[[millet]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html|title=Challenging Apple by Imitation|last=WONG|first=SUE-LIN|date=29 October 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=2 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507214352/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html|archivedate=7 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2011 its CEO [[Lei Jun]] suggested there are more meanings than just the "millet and rice."<ref name="name">{{cite web|url=http://tech.qq.com/a/20110714/000278.htm|title=雷军诠释小米名称寓意:要做移动互联网公司|date=14 July 2011|website=Tencent Technology|language=zh|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225541/http://tech.qq.com/a/20110714/000278.htm|archivedate=4 October 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=3 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He linked the "Xiao" part to the [[Buddhist]] concept that "a single grain of rice of a Buddhist is as great as a mountain," suggesting Xiaomi wants to work from the little things, instead of starting by striving for perfection,<ref name="name" /> while "mi" is an acronym for Mobile Internet and also Mission Impossible, referring to the obstacles encountered in starting the company.<ref name="name" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-phone/|title=Xiaomi Phone Specs Leak – Dual-Core Android Coming This Year|last=Millward|first=Steven|date=15 July 2011|newspaper=Tech In Asia|accessdate=18 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729094623/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-phone/|archivedate=29 July 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He also stated that he thinks the name is cute.<ref name="name" /> In 2012 Lei Jun said that the name is about revolution and being able to bring innovation into a new area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCATRE81Q0RH20120227?sp=true|title=Interview: China's Xiaomi hopes for revolution in|last=Lee|first=Melanie|date=27 February 2012|accessdate=4 October 2013|agency=Reuters|location=Shanghai}}</ref> Xiaomi's new 'Rifle' processor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Xiaomi-to-introduce-Rifle-mobile-application-processor-in-May_id80488|title=Xiaomi to introduce 'Rifle' mobile application processor in May|work=Phone Arena|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428211835/http://www.phonearena.com/news/Xiaomi-to-introduce-Rifle-mobile-application-processor-in-May_id80488|archivedate=28 April 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> has given weight to several sources linking the latter meaning to the [[Communist Party of China]]'s "millet and rifle" (小米加步枪) revolutionary idiom<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smGbVwtxF2QC&lpg=PA97&dq=%22millet%20plus%20rifles%22&pg=PA97#v=onepage&q=%22millet%20plus%20rifles%22|title=Writing in the Devil's Tongue: A History of English Composition in China|last=You|first=Xiaoye|date=29 January 2010|publisher=SIU Press|isbn=978-0-8093-8691-8|page=97|accessdate=14 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r0tqKQG5bGQC&lpg=PA81&dq=%22millet%20plus%20rifles%22&pg=PA81#v=onepage&q=%22millet%20plus%20rifles%22&f=false|title=Documents of Dissent: Chinese Political Thought Since Mao|last=Cheng|first=James Chester|publisher=Hoover Press|isbn=978-0-8179-7303-2|page=81|accessdate=14 October 2013}}</ref> during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pandodaily.com/2013/06/29/the-importance-of-xiaomis-lei-jun-to-chinas-emerging-innovation-generation-book-excerpt/|title=Why the 'Steve Jobs of China' is crucial to the country's innovative future (Book excerpt)|last=Griffith|first=Erin|date=29 June 2013|publisher=PandoDaily|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022105005/http://pandodaily.com/2013/06/29/the-importance-of-xiaomis-lei-jun-to-chinas-emerging-innovation-generation-book-excerpt/|archivedate=22 October 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=18 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://business.time.com/2013/10/14/xiaomi-chinas-threat-to-apple-and-samsung/|title=China's Xiaomi Poses Threat to Smartphone Giants Apple and Samsung|last=Kelleher|first=Kevin|date=14 October 2013|work=TIME|accessdate=15 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014172258/http://business.time.com/2013/10/14/xiaomi-chinas-threat-to-apple-and-samsung/|archivedate=14 October 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/xiaomi-phones-apple-google-china-hugo-barra.html|title=Xiaomi and Hugo Barra: A Homegrown Apple in China?|last=Fan|first=Jiayang|work=The New Yorker|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003021300/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/xiaomi-phones-apple-google-china-hugo-barra.html|archivedate=3 October 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=4 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-05/news/sns-rt-xiaomi-fundraising-update-1l5e8h57ok-20120605_1_smartphone-source-funding|title=UPDATE 1-China's Xiaomi to get $4 bln valuation after funding-source|date=5 June 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=2 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220018/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-05/news/sns-rt-xiaomi-fundraising-update-1l5e8h57ok-20120605_1_smartphone-source-funding |archivedate=4 October 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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==Business model== |
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[[File:Xiaomi Store.jpg|thumb|right|A Xiaomi Exclusive Service Centre for customer support in [[Kuala Lumpur]].]] |
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Lei Jun, Xiaomi's CEO, said that the company prices the phone almost at [[Bill of materials|bill-of-material]] prices,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yaabot.com/11620/rise-rise-xiaomi/|title=The Rise & Rise of Xiaomi|last=Bhardwaj|first=Shashank|date=19 May 2015|url-status=live|newspaper=Yaabot|publisher=Yaabot|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325130303/http://www.yaabot.com/11620/rise-rise-xiaomi/|archivedate=25 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 June 2014 |title=How can Xiaomi sell its phones so cheaply? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/10880495/How-can-Xiaomi-sell-its-phones-so-cheaply.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |accessdate=29 June 2014 |location=London |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618155200/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/10880495/How-can-Xiaomi-sell-its-phones-so-cheaply.html |archivedate=18 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> without compromising the component quality and performance compared to other premium smartphones.<ref name=Bershidsky>{{cite web|last1=Bershidsky|first1=Leonid|title=Xiaomi's Killer App? Its Business Model|url=http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-11-06/xiaomi-s-killer-app-its-business-model|website=Bloomberg View|date=6 November 2014|accessdate=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217142334/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-11-06/xiaomi-s-killer-app-its-business-model|archivedate=17 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It also profits by selling phone-related peripheral devices, smart home products, apps, online videos and themes.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Xiaomi shock|url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21645217-chinas-booming-smartphone-market-has-spawned-genuine-innovator-xiaomi-shock|work=The Economist|accessdate=27 February 2015|date=28 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227033605/http://www.economist.com/news/business/21645217-chinas-booming-smartphone-market-has-spawned-genuine-innovator-xiaomi-shock|archivedate=27 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Seifert |first=Dan |date=29 August 2013 |title=What is Xiaomi? Here's the Chinese company that just stole one of Android's biggest stars |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/8/29/4672668/what-is-xiaomi-china-smartphone-hugo-barra-android |newspaper=The Verge |accessdate=29 June 2014 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710235623/http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/29/4672668/what-is-xiaomi-china-smartphone-hugo-barra-android |archivedate=10 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> According to Xiaomi's Hugo Barra in 2014, the company sees hardware sales as a means of delivering software and services in the long term, "We are an Internet and a software company much more than a hardware company."<ref name=Roettgers>{{cite web|last1=Roettgers|first1=Janko|title=Xiaomi's Hugo Barra: iPhone 6 and iOS 8 design have been inspired by HTC and Android|url=https://gigaom.com/2014/10/28/xiaomis-hugo-barra-iphone-6-and-ios-8-design-have-been-inspired-by-htc-and-android/|website=GIGAOM|date=28 October 2014|accessdate=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217141921/https://gigaom.com/2014/10/28/xiaomis-hugo-barra-iphone-6-and-ios-8-design-have-been-inspired-by-htc-and-android/|archivedate=17 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, financial data available at the time indicated that this is either wishful thinking or plans for the far future: 94% of the company's revenue came from mobile phone sales, an even higher proportion than Apple.<ref name=Bershidsky/> |
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At first, to reduce overhead costs, Xiaomi did not own any physical stores, selling exclusively from its online store. In recent years, they have opened 54 brick and mortar stores to combat the strategies of other low-cost competitors in Chinese markets. It also did away with traditional advertising and relies on social networking services and word-of-mouth to publicise its products.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kan |first=Michael |date=16 May 2014 |title=Why Are Xiaomi Phones So Cheap? |url=http://www.cio.com/article/752898/Why_Are_Xiaomi_Phones_So_Cheap_?page=2&taxonomyId=3061 |newspaper=CIO |accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref> |
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By keeping a [[Inventory optimization|tight control over its stock]], Xiaomi is able to place cheaper batch orders as demand dictates. Limited availability flash sales ensure that supply never outstrips demand and helps promote its products. In contrast, traditional OEMs incur large upfront productions costs, which must be recouped by selling prices, in order to ship phones, some of which may not sell, out to retailers all around the world.<ref name=Triggs2>{{cite web|last1=Triggs|first1=Rob|title=The Xiaomi model is taking over the world|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-business-model-575619/|website=Android Authority|accessdate=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217131634/http://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-business-model-575619/|archivedate=17 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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Xiaomi say that they listen closely to customer feedback, having them test out upcoming features themselves, and building an extensive online community.<ref name=Triggs>{{cite web|last1=Triggs|first1=Rob|title=Xiaomi's Hugo Barra talks business models and smartphone success|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-business-model-success-559681/|website=Android Authority|accessdate=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217131533/http://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-business-model-success-559681/|archivedate=17 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Lei Jun described it this way, "When I was with [[Kingsoft]], I had the opportunity to work with [[Nokia]] and [[Motorola]], two mobile phone giants of their time. One day, I pointed out to their R&D boss, some inadequacies. After that, they merely acknowledged my input, but never acted upon what I had said. So I thought to myself, if I make a phone, you can tell me anything you wish for it or what's wrong. If it is justifiable, we will work on it immediately. I'll give you an update every week and you may even see your wishes come true within a week."<ref name=Bershidsky /><ref name=Lei>{{cite web|last1=Lei|first1=Jun|title=Lei Jun - My vision for the next 20 years|url=http://en.miui.com/thread-59893-1-1.html|website=MIUI Forum|accessdate=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217132050/http://en.miui.com/thread-59893-1-1.html|archivedate=17 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In practice, Xiaomi's product managers spend a lot of time browsing through the company's user forums. Once a suggestion is picked up, it is quickly transferred to the engineers. Therefore, features can turn from mere concept to shipping products within a week. The company then ships a new batch of phones out every week on Tuesday at noon Beijing time, containing the new software builds and possible minor hardware tweaks. Xiaomi calls this process "design as you build."<ref>{{cite web|last1=King, Jr.|first1=Bertel|title=Hugo Barra Describes How Xiaomi Pushes Out Weekly Builds, Turning User Feedback Into Shipped Product In A Matter Of Days|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/23/hugo-barra-describes-how-xiaomi-pushes-out-weekly-hardware-updates-turning-user-feedback-into-shipped-product-in-a-matter-of-days/|website=Android Police|accessdate=18 February 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218071955/http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/23/hugo-barra-describes-how-xiaomi-pushes-out-weekly-hardware-updates-turning-user-feedback-into-shipped-product-in-a-matter-of-days/|archivedate=18 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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According to the patent landscape report<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greyb.com/patent-portfolio-analysis-of-xiaomi-global-expansion-plan/|title=Xiaomi’s Global Expansion Plan is Steered by Patents|date=9 December 2016|work=GreyB|access-date=24 May 2017|language=en-US|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912224904/http://www.greyb.com/patent-portfolio-analysis-of-xiaomi-global-expansion-plan/|archivedate=12 September 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> published in December 2016 by a patent research and analytics firm GreyB Services,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greyb.com|title=GreyB - World's leading technology research and intelligence firm|website=GreyB|access-date=24 May 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603211400/https://www.greyb.com/|archivedate=3 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Xiaomi owns 6989 patents with more than 90% of patents filed/acquired after 2012. The surge in number of patents was due to aggressive patent acquisition/licensing deals with many companies including [[Broadcom]], [[Intel]], and [[Microsoft]]. The patent acquisition was a strategic move by Xiaomi to strengthen its weak patent portfolio aligned with its global expansion plan to create a defence against patent lawsuits. |
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Xiaomi's mascot is a white [[rabbit]] wearing an [[Ushanka]] (known locally as a "[[Lei Feng]] hat" in China) with a red star and a red scarf around its neck.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ong |first=Josh |url=https://thenextweb.com/asia/2012/08/19/why-chinas-xiaomi-inspiring-loyalty-rivals-apple-fanboys-google-fandroids/ |title=The Loyalty of Xiaomi Fans Rivals Apple 'Fanboys', Google 'Fandroids' |publisher=Thenextweb.com |date=19 August 2012 |accessdate=2 October 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213640/http://thenextweb.com/asia/2012/08/19/why-chinas-xiaomi-inspiring-loyalty-rivals-apple-fanboys-google-fandroids/ |archivedate=4 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.technewsworld.com/story/79032.html |title=China Un-Bans Facebook, Twitter in Shanghai | Tech Blog |publisher=TechNewsWorld |accessdate=4 October 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213640/http://www.technewsworld.com/story/79032.html |archivedate=4 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="YoungPioneerRedScarf">{{cite web |author=Meg Butler |url=http://www.gsmnation.com/blog/2012/08/28/6-reasons-why-xiaomi-is-the-next-apple/ |title=6 Reasons Why Xiaomi is the Next Apple | GSM Nation Blog |publisher=Gsmnation.com |accessdate=14 October 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017132450/http://www.gsmnation.com/blog/2012/08/28/6-reasons-why-xiaomi-is-the-next-apple/ |archivedate=17 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="CommunistArmyHatandYoungPioneerRedScarf">{{cite web |url=http://www.labbrand.com/knowledge/labreport/brand-positioning-strategies-rising-chinese-smartphone-brands |title=Brand Positioning Strategies of the Rising Chinese Smartphone Brands | Labbrand Brand Innovations |publisher=Labbrand.com |date=27 June 2013 |accessdate=14 October 2013 |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017140809/http://www.labbrand.com/knowledge/labreport/brand-positioning-strategies-rising-chinese-smartphone-brands |archivedate=17 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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== Controversies == |
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===GPL violation=== |
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Xiaomi was unfavorably covered for its non-compliance with the terms of the [[GNU GPL]]. The Android project's [[Linux]] kernel is licensed under the [[copyleft]] terms of the GPL, which requires Xiaomi to distribute the complete source code of the Android kernel and device trees for every Android device it distributes. By refusing to do so, or by unreasonably delaying these releases, Xiaomi is operating in violation of intellectual property law in China, as a [[WIPO]] state.<ref name=":1">https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/01/xiaomi-is-dragging-its-feet-on-the-gpl-again-this-time-with-the-mi-a1/</ref> Prominent Android developer Francisco Franco publicly criticized Xiaomi's behaviour after repeated delays in the release of kernel source code.<ref name=":2">https://www.androidheadlines.com/2018/01/xiaomi-violating-gpl-2-0-license-with-mi-a1-kernel-sources.html</ref> Xiaomi has previously pledged to comply with the GPL in a timely fashion but has since reneged.<ref name=":3">http://miuiandroid.com/2013/09/17/exclusive-xiaomi-mi-device-kernel-will-open-sourced/</ref> |
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===Comparisons with Apple Inc.=== |
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Xiaomi has been compared to the American corporation [[Apple Inc.]], as reviewers found some of Xiaomi's phones and tablets similar in appearance to Apple's.<ref name="Amadeo">{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/08/xiaomi-mi4-review-chinas-iphone-killer-is-unoriginal-but-amazing/|title=Xiaomi Mi4 review: China's iPhone killer is unoriginal but amazing|last1=Amadeo|first1=Ron|website=Ars Technica|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218052735/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/08/xiaomi-mi4-review-chinas-iphone-killer-is-unoriginal-but-amazing/|archivedate=18 February 2015|url-status=live|accessdate=17 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2014/05/15/xiaomi-mi-pad/|title=Xiaomi's Mi Pad Is Almost a Spitting Image of the iPad|date=14 May 2014|publisher=mashable.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812095807/http://mashable.com/2014/05/15/xiaomi-mi-pad/|archivedate=12 August 2014|url-status=live|accessdate=7 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In addition, the [[Hunger marketing|marketing strategy]] of Xiaomi is at times described as riding on the back of the "cult of Apple".<ref name="nyt2">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html|title=Challenging Apple by Imitation|last=Wong|first=Sue-Lin|date=29 October 2012|work=The New York Times|accessdate=15 August 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507214352/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/technology/challenging-apple-by-imitation.html|archivedate=7 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is reported that, after reading a book about [[Steve Jobs]] in college,<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=http://efytimes.com/e1/fullnews.asp?edid=107847|title=Meet The 'Steve Jobs' Of China|date=5 June 2013|publisher=Efytimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928025423/http://efytimes.com/e1/fullnews.asp?edid=107847|archivedate=28 September 2013|url-status=dead|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/06/xiaomi_plans_global_domination_with_fast_smartphones_and_software/|title=Xiaomi plans global domination with fast smartphones and software|last1=Edge|first1=Samsung Bend-ghazi blast: We DEMAND a do-over on Galaxy S6|last2=Don't be stiffed by spies|first2=stand up to Uncle Sam with your proud d**k pics-says Snowden|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430012332/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/06/xiaomi_plans_global_domination_with_fast_smartphones_and_software/|archivedate=30 April 2016|url-status=live|accessdate=16 May 2016|last3=prison|first3=Chelsea Manning sets up low-tech Twitter account from|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Xiaomi's chairman and CEO, [[Lei Jun]],<ref name=":7">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/lei-jun/|title=Lei Jun|date=18 April 2012|work=Forbes|accessdate=24 August 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730043904/https://www.forbes.com/profile/lei-jun/ |archivedate=30 July 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> carefully cultivated a Steve Jobs image,<ref name=":8">{{cite web|url=http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-phone-paint-chipping/|title=Xiaomi Phones Face Serious Quality Questions|last=Tan|first=Vanessa|date=21 September 2011|publisher=Techinasia.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910000715/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-phone-paint-chipping/|archivedate=10 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=31 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> including jeans, dark shirts,<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/business/global/in-china-an-empire-built-by-aping-apple.html|title=In China an Empire Built by Aping Apple|date=5 June 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206112358/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/business/global/in-china-an-empire-built-by-aping-apple.html|archivedate=6 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and Jobs's announcement style at Xiaomi's earlier product announcements.<ref name="businessinsider1">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-2013-8|title=Xiaomi|author=Steve Kovach|date=22 August 2013|publisher=Business Insider|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824225935/http://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-2013-8|archivedate=24 August 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=24 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Given the above, he was categorized as a "counterfeit Jobs."<ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/xiaomi-phones-apple-google-china-hugo-barra.html|title=Xiaomi and Hugo Barra: A Homegrown Apple in China?|last=Fan|first=Jiayang|work=The New Yorker|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003021300/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/xiaomi-phones-apple-google-china-hugo-barra.html|archivedate=3 October 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=22 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/what-apple-should-steal-from-chinas-steve-jobs-511409943|title=What Apple Should Steal from China's Steve Jobs|author=6/05/13 11:49am 6/05/13 11:49am|date=23 April 2013|publisher=Gizmodo.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821012254/http://gizmodo.com/what-apple-should-steal-from-chinas-steve-jobs-511409943|archivedate=21 August 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=24 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In 2012, the company was said to be counterfeiting Apple's philosophy and mindset.<ref name=":11">{{cite web|url=http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/chinas-even-counterfeiting-steve-jobs-now|title=China's Even Counterfeiting Steve Jobs Now | Motherboard|last=Clark|first=Adam|publisher=Motherboard.vice.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930170229/http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/chinas-even-counterfeiting-steve-jobs-now|archivedate=30 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=24 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2013, critics debated how much of Xiaomi's products were innovative,<ref name="businessinsider1" /><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23879496|title=Google executive Hugo Barra poached by China's Xiaomi|last=Lee|first=Dave|date=29 August 2013|accessdate=30 August 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829191130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23879496|archivedate=29 August 2013|url-status=live|publisher=BBC|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047800/can-chinas-xiaomi-make-it-globally.html|title=Can China's Xiaomi make it globally?|date=23 August 2013|work=PC World|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901210637/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047800/can-chinas-xiaomi-make-it-globally.html|archivedate=1 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=30 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and how much of their innovation was just really good public relations.<ref name=":13">{{cite web|url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/083013-can-china39s-xiaomi-make-it-273366.html|title=Can China's Xiaomi make it globally?|date=30 August 2013|publisher=Network World|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926214105/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/083013-can-china39s-xiaomi-make-it-273366.html|archivedate=26 September 2013|url-status=dead|accessdate=7 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Others point out that while there are similarities to Apple, the ability to customize the software based upon user preferences through the use of Google's Android operating system sets Xiaomi apart.<ref name=":14">"[http://www.techinasia.com/york-times-xiaomi-wrong/ The New York Times Gets Xiaomi Way, Way Wrong] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905201120/http://www.techinasia.com/york-times-xiaomi-wrong/|date=5 September 2013}}", Tech In Asia, 10 June 2013.</ref> |
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During the Mi 4 unveiling conference in 2014, the presentation slides used Apple's iconic "One more thing..." slide before introducing the Mi Band; it was the only English language slide in the whole presentation. |
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Xiaomi has been also known for their [[hunger marketing]] tactics, which Apple also uses. "Sold out in just 50 seconds!" This comment is what an article said when Xiaomi released their latest smart phone, Mi Note 2, and it made more people focus on their new product. When Xiaomi releases new products, they make the shortest time record every time they sold out the new item. Their new products are only available for purchase on their official website, people who pre-registered could get a chance to make a purchase. |
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===State administration of radio, film, and television issue=== |
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In November 2012, Xiaomi's smart set-top box stopped working one week after the launch due to the company having run afoul of China's [[State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television]].<ref name=":15">{{cite web|url=http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-tv-box-sarft-regulations/|title=How and Why Xiaomi Ran Afoul of China's Media Regulator|last=Bischoff|first=Paul|date=26 November 2012|publisher=Techinasia.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906001911/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-tv-box-sarft-regulations/|archivedate=6 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=25 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{cite web|url=http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-box-streaming-content-suspended/|title=Xiaomi TV Set-Top Box Service Suspended, Regulatory Kerfuffle Perhaps to Blame [UPDATED]|last=Bischoff|first=Paul|date=23 November 2012|publisher=Techinasia.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920024753/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-box-streaming-content-suspended/|archivedate=20 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=25 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1089504/xiaomi-suspends-set-top-box-amid-illegal-content-talk|title=Xiaomi suspends set-top box amid illegal content talk|author=Celine Sun in Beijing celine.sun@scmp.com|date=24 November 2012|work=South China Morning Post|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928061341/http://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1089504/xiaomi-suspends-set-top-box-amid-illegal-content-talk|archivedate=28 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=25 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The regulatory issues were overcome in January 2013.<ref name=":18">{{cite web|url=http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-box-regulatory-approval-cntv/|title=Xiaomi Box Finally Gets Regulatory Approval, Can Soon Go on Sale|last=Bischoff|first=Paul|date=25 January 2013|publisher=Techinasia.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918072236/http://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-box-regulatory-approval-cntv/|archivedate=18 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=25 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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===Hugo Barra=== |
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In August 2013, the company announced that it was hiring [[Hugo Barra]] from [[Google]], where he served as vice president of product management for the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] platform.<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name=":19">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-29/what-ex-google-exec-hugo-barra-can-do-for-chinas-xiaomi|title=What Ex-Google Exec Hugo Barra Can Do for China's Xiaomi|work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901015542/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-29/what-ex-google-exec-hugo-barra-can-do-for-chinas-xiaomi|archivedate=1 September 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=30 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmontlake/2013/08/28/chinas-xiaomi-hires-ex-google-vp-to-run-overseas-business/|title=China's Xiaomi Hires Ex-Google VP To Run Overseas Business|last=Montlake|first=Simon|date=14 August 2013|work=Forbes|accessdate=30 August 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901175842/http://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmontlake/2013/08/28/chinas-xiaomi-hires-ex-google-vp-to-run-overseas-business/|archivedate=1 September 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/hugo-barra-sergey-brin-susan-wojcicki-xiaomi-google,24054.html|title=Google Executive Departs During 'Love Quadrangle' Rumors|author=Kevin Parrish|publisher=Tomshardware.com|accessdate=30 August 2013}}</ref> Barra has declined to comment on the timing of the Google relationships, and stated that he had been in talks with Xiaomi for over a year prior to announcing the move.<ref name=":22">{{cite web|url=http://allthingsd.com/20130912/exclusive-hugo-barra-talks-about-his-future-at-xiaomi-and-why-he-left-google/|title=Hugo Barra Talks About His Future at Xiaomi and Why He Left Google - Kara Swisher - Mobile|date=12 September 2013|publisher=AllThingsD|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023043942/http://allthingsd.com/20130912/exclusive-hugo-barra-talks-about-his-future-at-xiaomi-and-why-he-left-google/ |archivedate=23 October 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=20 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He will be employed as vice president of Xiaomi to expand the company outside of mainland China, making Xiaomi the first company selling smartphones to [[Executive search|poach]] a senior staffer from Google's Android team.<ref name=":23">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/383866/android-vice-president-quits-for-chinese-phone-maker|title=Android vice president quits for Chinese phone maker|publisher=PC Pro|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831114006/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/383866/android-vice-president-quits-for-chinese-phone-maker|archivedate=31 August 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=31 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Barra's focus was to help Xiaomi grow internationally.<ref name=":24">{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/08/29/google-android-vp-joins-chinese-smartphone-maker-xiaomi/|title=Google Vice President for Android Hugo Barra Joins Chinese Smartphone Maker Xiaomi - Digits - WSJ|date=29 August 2013|work=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=20 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004091947/http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/08/29/google-android-vp-joins-chinese-smartphone-maker-xiaomi/|archivedate=4 October 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-29/what-ex-google-exec-hugo-barra-can-do-for-chinas-xiaomi|title=What Ex-Google Exec Hugo Barra Can Do for China's Xiaomi|date=29 August 2013|work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022181817/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-29/what-ex-google-exec-hugo-barra-can-do-for-chinas-xiaomi|archivedate=22 October 2013|url-status=live|accessdate=20 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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Barra quit his position in January 2017 to join Facebook as VP of virtual reality.<ref name=":26">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/22/hugo-barra-is-leaving-his-position-as-head-of-international-at-xiaomi-after-3-5-years/|title=Hugo Barra is leaving his position as head of international at Xiaomi after 3.5 years|date=22 January 2017|publisher=Techcrunch|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222061610/https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/22/hugo-barra-is-leaving-his-position-as-head-of-international-at-xiaomi-after-3-5-years/|archivedate=22 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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===Privacy concerns=== |
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Xiaomi's cloud storage service Mi Cloud stores all the user data in its servers located in China. There were also reports that Xiaomi's Cloud messaging service sends some private data like call logs and contact information to Xiaomi servers. Xiaomi later released a MIUI update that made cloud messaging optional, no private data is sent to Xiaomi servers if the cloud messaging service is turned off, as Xiaomi claimed. |
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In October 2014, Xiaomi announced that they are setting up servers outside of China for international users citing improved services and compliance to regulations in several nations.<ref name="movingout">{{cite news|url=http://www.zdnet.com/xiaomi-moving-international-user-data-and-cloud-services-out-of-beijing-7000034994/|title=Xiaomi moving international user data and cloud services out of Beijing|last=Tung|first=Liam|date=23 October 2014|accessdate=23 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023152139/http://www.zdnet.com/xiaomi-moving-international-user-data-and-cloud-services-out-of-beijing-7000034994/|archivedate=23 October 2014|url-status=live|publisher=[[ZDNet]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Around the same time, the [[Indian Air Force]] issued a warning against Xiaomi phones, stating that they were a national threat as they sent user data to an agency of the Chinese government.<ref name="chinesethreat">{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Chinese-Smartphones-a-Security-Threat-says-IAF/2014/10/19/article2484248.ece|title=Chinese Smartphones a Security Threat, says IAF|last=Sagar|first=Pradip|date=19 October 2014|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|accessdate=23 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022234655/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Chinese-Smartphones-a-Security-Threat-says-IAF/2014/10/19/article2484248.ece|archivedate=22 October 2014|url-status=live|location=New Delhi|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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In September 2016, Thijs Broenink, a computer science student, suspected a pre-installed app named AnalyticsCore in Xiaomi phones. Upon further investigation Thijs Broenink reported, through a blog post,<ref name=":27">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thijsbroenink.com/2016/09/xiaomis-analytics-app-reverse-engineered/|title=Reverse Engineering Xiaomi’s Analytics app {{!}} Thijs Broenink|website=www.thijsbroenink.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025034746/https://www.thijsbroenink.com/2016/09/xiaomis-analytics-app-reverse-engineered/|archivedate=25 October 2016|url-status=live|access-date=23 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> that AnalyticsCore can send device information, including IMEI, MAC address, Model, and other parameters, to Xiaomi servers. He also revealed Xiaomi phones having a [[Backdoor (computing)|backdoor]] allowing installation of any app without user approval. The veracity of his claims has yet to be verified. |
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===Sales numbers=== |
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The Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission had investigated the flash sales and found that Xiaomi had sold fewer smartphones than advertised.<ref name=":28">{{cite web|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/xiaomi-fined-claiming-sold-more-023018669.html|title=Xiaomi Fined For Misleading Their Consumers, Selling Less Units Than Advertised|date=5 August 2014|publisher=Yahoo! News|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812200734/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/xiaomi-fined-claiming-sold-more-023018669.html|archivedate=12 August 2014|url-status=live|accessdate=10 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In December, 3 separate flash sales were investigated. In those flash sales Xiaomi claimed that the number of smartphone sold was 10,000 units each for the first two sales, and 8,000 units for the third one. However, FTC had investigated the claims and found out that Xiaomi only sold 9,339 devices in the first flash sale, 9,492 units in the second one, and 7,389 for the third.<ref name=":29">{{cite web|url=http://www.ftc.gov.tw/internet/main/doc/docDetail.aspx?uid=126&docid=13606|title=公平交易委員會新聞資料|date=31 July 2014|publisher=Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission|trans-title=Fair Trade Commission Press Kit|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810173251/http://www.ftc.gov.tw/internet/main/doc/docDetail.aspx?uid=126&docid=13606|archivedate=10 August 2014|url-status=live|accessdate=10 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was found that during the first flash sale, Xiaomi had given 1,750 priority ‘F-codes’ to people who could place their orders without having to go through the flash sale, thus diminishing the stock that was publicly available. The FTC fined Xiaomi {{currency|600000|TWD}}.<ref name=":30">{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/07/31/taiwan-slaps-20000-fine-xiaomi-declaring-number-devices-flash-sales/|title=Xiaomi gets slapped with a $20,000 fine for misleading consumers in Taiwan|date=31 July 2014|publisher=The Next Web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804225304/http://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/07/31/taiwan-slaps-20000-fine-xiaomi-declaring-number-devices-flash-sales/|archivedate=4 August 2014|url-status=live|accessdate=10 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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===Temporary ban in India=== |
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On 9 December 2014, the [[High Court of Delhi]] granted an [[ex parte]] injunction that banned the import and sale of Xiaomi products in India. This injunction was issued in response to a complaint filed by Ericsson in connection with the infringement of its patent licensed under [[Reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing|FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non Discriminatory Licensing)]].<ref name=":31">{{cite web|url=http://thetechportal.in/2014/12/10/xiaomi-banned-india-following-delhi-high-court-injunction/|title=Xiaomi banned in India following Delhi High Court injunction|date=10 December 2014|publisher=the techportal.in|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415204243/http://thetechportal.in/2014/12/10/xiaomi-banned-india-following-delhi-high-court-injunction/|archivedate=15 April 2015|url-status=live|accessdate=8 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This injunction issued by the High Court was applicable until 5 February 2015, the date on which the High Court was scheduled to summon both parties for a formal hearing of the case. On 16 December The Delhi High Court granted permission to Xiaomi to sell its devices that are running on a Qualcomm-based processor until 8 January 2015.<ref name=":32">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Xiaomi-India-ban-partially-lifted-by-Delhi-HC/articleshow/45532631.cms|title=Xiaomi India ban partially lifted by Delhi HC|date=16 December 2014|work=The Times of India|accessdate=8 April 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424052828/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Xiaomi-India-ban-partially-lifted-by-Delhi-HC/articleshow/45532631.cms|archivedate=24 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Following this, Xiaomi held various sales on Flipkart including on 30 December 2014. With this sale, the company received press coverage when their flagship Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G phone sold out in 6 seconds.<ref name=":33">{{cite web|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/xiaomi-redmi-note-4g-sold-out-on-flipkart-in-6-seconds/1/214060.html|title=Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G sold out on Flipkart in 6 seconds|date=30 December 2014|work=India Today|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414153902/http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/xiaomi-redmi-note-4g-sold-out-on-flipkart-in-6-seconds/1/214060.html|archivedate=14 April 2015|url-status=live|accessdate=8 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The judge extended the division bench's interim order allowing Xiaomi to continue the sale of Qualcomm chipset-based handsets until March 2018.<ref name=":34">{{cite web|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/xiaomi-violating-delhi-high-courts-interim-order-says-ericsson-657591|title=Xiaomi Violating Delhi High Court's Interim Order, Says Ericsson|date=5 February 2015|publisher=NDTV.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413071431/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/xiaomi-violating-delhi-high-courts-interim-order-says-ericsson-657591|archivedate=13 April 2015|url-status=live|accessdate=8 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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===OTA remote code execution === |
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On 7 July 2016, several technology news sources reported a severe vulnerability in the MIUI firmware developed by Xiaomi.<ref name=":35">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&authuser=0&q=Remote+Code+Execution+in+Xiaomi+MIUI+Analytics|title=Remote Code Execution in Xiaomi MIUI Analytics|last1=Lynch|first1=Kevin|date=7 July 2016|publisher=Various}}</ref> The hack targeted a flaw in the MIUI OTA (over-the-air) updating system. |
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==See also== |
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* [[Products of Xiaomi]] |
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* [[MIUI]] |
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* [[Xiaomi Smart Home]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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On 16 August 2010, Xiaomi officially launched its first [[Android (operating system)|Android]]-based firmware [[MIUI]].<ref>{{cite web|title=小米联合创始人、副总裁洪锋谈MIUI设计成长之路|url=http://www.csdn.net/article/2013-08-29/2816751|publisher=csdn.net|accessdate=3 October 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011343/http://www.csdn.net/article/2013-08-29/2816751|archivedate=5 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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* {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjSklLM3SpM|title=What is Xiaomi? <nowiki>|</nowiki> CNBC Explains|publisher=[[CNBC]]|date=2018-06-28}} |
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* {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291DlKa7iIU|title=How Xiaomi broke out of China to go global <nowiki>|</nowiki> CNBC Reports|publisher=[[CNBC]]|date=2019-09-05}} |
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[[Category:History of companies of China|Xiaomi]] |
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[[Category:Xiaomi]] |
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==Products== |
==Products== |
Revision as of 19:40, 3 December 2019
39°55′32″N 116°26′30″E / 39.9255°N 116.4416°E
Native name | 小米集团 | ||||||||||||||||
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Company type | Public | ||||||||||||||||
SEHK: 1810 | |||||||||||||||||
Industry | |||||||||||||||||
Founded | 6 April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Founder | Lei Jun | ||||||||||||||||
Headquarters | , | ||||||||||||||||
Area served | Worldwide | ||||||||||||||||
Key people |
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Products | |||||||||||||||||
Brands |
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Revenue | CN¥174.915 billion (~$24.5 billion) (2018)[1] | ||||||||||||||||
CN¥13.478 billion (2018) [1] | |||||||||||||||||
Total assets | CN¥145.228 billion (2018) [1] | ||||||||||||||||
Number of employees | 16,683 (Dec 31 2018)[1] | ||||||||||||||||
Subsidiaries |
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Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||
Chinese | 小米 | ||||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | "millet" | ||||||||||||||||
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Website | mi |
Xiaomi Corporation (/ˈʃaʊmiː/;[2] Chinese: 小米 [ɕjǎʊ.mì] ) is a Chinese electronics company founded by Lei Jun in 2010 and headquartered in Beijing. Xiaomi makes and invests in smartphones, mobile apps, laptops, bags, trimmers, earphones, MI Television, Shoes, fitness bands, and many other products.[3] Ranked 468th, Xiaomi is the youngest company on Fortune Global 500 List for 2019.[4]
Xiaomi released its first smartphone in August 2011 and rapidly gained market share in China to become the country's largest smartphone company in 2014.[5] At the start of second quarter of 2018, Xiaomi was the world's fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer,[6][7][8] leading in both the largest market, China, and the second-largest market, India.[9] Xiaomi later developed a wider range of consumer electronics, including a smart home (IoT) device ecosystem.[10][11][12][13]
Xiaomi has 15,000 employees[14] in China, India, Malaysia,[15] Singapore and is expanding to other countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Africa.[16][17] According to Forbes magazine, Lei Jun, the founder and CEO, has an estimated net worth of US$12.5 billion.[18] He is China's 11th richest person and 118th in the world.[18] Xiaomi is the world's 4th most valuable technology start-up after receiving US$1.1 billion funding from investors, making Xiaomi's valuation more than US$46 billion.[19]
History
2010
On 6 April 2010 Xiaomi was co-founded by Lei Jun and six
- Lin Bin, vice president of the Google China Institute of Engineering
- Dr Zhou Guangping, senior director of the Motorola Beijing R&D center
- Liu De, department head of industrial design at the Beijing Institute of Technology
- Li Wanqiang, general manager of Kingsoft Dictionary
- Wong Kong-Kat, principal development manager
- Hong Feng, senior product manager for Google China
In the first round of funding, institutional investors included Temasek Holdings, IDG Capital, Qiming Venture Partners[20] and Qualcomm.[21]
On 16 August 2010, Xiaomi officially launched its first Android-based firmware MIUI.[22] It resembles Samsung's TouchWiz and Apple's iOS.
2011
The Xiaomi Mi 1 smartphone was announced in August 2011. It has Xiaomi's MIUI firmware. The device could also be installed with stock Android.[23]
2012
In August 2012 Xiaomi announced the Xiaomi Mi 2 smartphone.[24]
2013
On 24 September 2013 Xiaomi sold over 10 million Mi 2 phones.[25]
On 5 September 2013, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced plans to launch an Android-based 47-inch 3D-capable Smart TV,[26] which will be assembled by Sony TV manufacturer Wistron Corporation of Taiwan.[27] The company explained the choice as to take advantage of Wistron's skill as a supplier of Sony.[28]
In September 2013, Xiaomi announced its Mi 3 phone.[29]
On 25 September 2013, Xiaomi announced plans to open its first service center in Beijing.[30]
By October 2013 Xiaomi was the fifth-most-used smartphone brand in China.[31]
In 2013 it sold 18.7 million smartphones.[32]
2014
In 2014 Xiaomi announced its expansion outside China, with their first international headquarters in Singapore. Future product launches and activities in the region will be set up there.[33] Following Singapore, the company opened in Malaysia, Philippines and India,[34] and plans to enter Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico in the following months.[35]
On 21 February 2014 Xiaomi's Redmi and Mi 3 phone were released in Singapore.[36][37] The Xiaomi Mi 3 batches were sold out within 2 minutes of the opening day sale in Singapore.[38]
In March 2014, Xiaomi Store Australia (an unrelated business) began selling Xiaomi mobile phones online in Australia through its website, XiaomiStore.com.au.[39] However, they traded for only a few months, as Xiaomi soon "requested" that the store be shut down on (or by) 25 July 2014.[39] Shortly after sales were halted, the website itself was also taken down, on 7 August 2014.[39] An industry commentator described the action by Xiaomi to get the Australian website closed down as unprecedented, saying, “I’ve never come across this [before]. It would have to be a strategic move.” [39] At the time this left only one online vendor selling Xiaomi mobile phones into Australia, namely Yatango (formerly MobiCity), which was based in Hong Kong[39] — although this business closed in late 2015.[40]
On 17 March 2014, Redmi Note phablet was announced by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun.[41]
In April 2014 Xiaomi purchased the Internet domain mi.com for a record US$3.6 million, the most expensive domain name ever bought in China, replacing xiaomi.com as the official Xiaomi domain.[42]
In November 2014 Xiaomi said it would invest US$1 billion in television content building.[43]
In December 2014 Xiaomi completed a round of equity financing led by Hong Kong-based technology fund All-Stars Investment Limited, a fund run by former Morgan Stanley analyst Richard Ji[44][45] raising over US$1 billion, with a valuation of more than US$45 billion making it one of the most valuable private technology companies in the world.[46]
The company sold over 60 million smartphones in 2014.[47]
2015
In April 2015 Xiaomi announced it would make its Mi devices available through two of India's major e-commerce sites and through offline retailers for the first time.[48]
On 23 April 2015, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun and VP Hugo Barra came together to announce a new smartphone named Mi 1s in India, the first phone to be launched in India before any other country. The Xiaomi Mi Band was also launched in the same event.
On 27 April 2015, it was reported Ratan Tata had acquired a stake in Xiaomi.[49][50]
On 30 June 2015, Xiaomi announced its expansion into Brazil with the launch of locally manufactured Redmi 2; it is the first time the company assembled a smartphone outside of China.[51]
2016
On 24 February 2016, Xiaomi launched the Mi 5 smartphone.
On 9 March 2016, Xiaomi launched its Redmi Note 3 in India. It was a groundbreaking smartphone at the time in the budget segment, and was well received by Indian customers. It made record sales on the year, and Xiaomi brand name continued to grow.
On 10 May 2016, Xiaomi launched the Mi Max.[52][53]
Shortly after starting operations in Brazil the company left the country in the second half of 2016.[54]
In July 2016 Chinese artists as Liu Shishi, Wu Xiubo and Liu Haoran became the first ambassadors of Xiaomi's Redmi series in China.[55]
In August 2016 Xiaomi entered Bangladesh via Solar Electro Bangladesh Limited.[56]
In September 2016 Xiaomi's cell phones became officially available in the European Union through their partnership with ABC Data.[57]
2017
On 20 February, Xiaomi officially launched in Pakistan and brought its Mi and Redmi Note lineup to the country.[58]
On 19 April, Xiaomi launched Mi 6, its flagship phone at the time.
In May, Xiaomi opened two MI Home stores; one in Bangalore (India) and one in Bangladesh. It is the first of several planned for the region.[59]
On 25 May, Xiaomi released Mi Max 2.
On 26 August, new MIUI v9 alongside Mi 5x has been released.[60]
On 31 August, Xiaomi opened its first flagship Mi Store in Faisalabad, Pakistan.[61]
On 5 September Xiaomi released Mi A1, which is the first Android One smartphone under the slogan: Created by Xiaomi, Powered by Google. In the event key note Xiaomi stated they started working with Google for the Mi A1 Android One smartphone almost six months ago. An alternate version of the phone is also available with MIUI and is known as MI 5X.
In September Xiaomi released Mi MIX 2[62]
In October, the EU's first Mi Store has been opened in Athens, Greece.[63]
On 7 November, Xiaomi started operating in Spain, making available the Mi A1 and Mi Mix 2 smartphones.[64]
In Q3 2017, Xiaomi overtook Samsung to become the number one smartphone brand in India. Xiaomi has sold 9.2 million units during this period.[65]
2018
On 20 February, Xiaomi opened their first Mi Store in the Philippines.[66]
In March 2018, at China's annual legislative session in Beijing, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced that Xiaomi has "always been considering entering the US market" and will launch in the US smartphone market by late 2018 or early 2019. Xiaomi already sells assorted items in the US such as power banks and Bluetooth speakers.[67]
On 3 April 2018, Xiaomi launched the Mix 2S model which is a successor of Mix 2.[68]
On 25 April 2018, Xiaomi launched the Mi 6X, a successor of Mi 5X.
On 22 May 2018, Xiaomi will open, in Paris, its first French store.[69]
On May 3, 2018, Xiaomi filled to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and aims to raise $10 billion in IPO which is expected to be the world’s biggest IPO raise since 2014.[70]
On May 3. 2018, Xiaomi announced in partnership with 3 (telecommunications) to sell smartphones in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden[71]
In May 2018, Xiaomi began selling some of their smart home products in the United States through Amazon.[72]
In September 2018, Xiaomi launched its 4th 'Mi Home' experience store in India.[73] They also launched their products in the UK, offering UK customers to purchase without customs fees.
2019
In March 2019, Xiaomi was named one of the qualified applicants for the virtual bank licenses in Hong Kong.[74] Company also has introduced Xiaomi Mi 9 phone which has come with fingerprint scanner in display. It was second phone of the brand with this technology available on market.
Etymology
Xiaomi is the Chinese word for "millet".[75] In 2011 its CEO Lei Jun suggested there are more meanings than just the "millet and rice."[76] He linked the "Xiao" part to the Buddhist concept that "a single grain of rice of a Buddhist is as great as a mountain," suggesting Xiaomi wants to work from the little things, instead of starting by striving for perfection,[76] while "mi" is an acronym for Mobile Internet and also Mission Impossible, referring to the obstacles encountered in starting the company.[76][77] He also stated that he thinks the name is cute.[76] In 2012 Lei Jun said that the name is about revolution and being able to bring innovation into a new area.[78] Xiaomi's new 'Rifle' processor[79] has given weight to several sources linking the latter meaning to the Communist Party of China's "millet and rifle" (小米加步枪) revolutionary idiom[80][81] during the Second Sino-Japanese War.[82][83][84][85]
Business model
Lei Jun, Xiaomi's CEO, said that the company prices the phone almost at bill-of-material prices,[86][87] without compromising the component quality and performance compared to other premium smartphones.[88] It also profits by selling phone-related peripheral devices, smart home products, apps, online videos and themes.[89][90] According to Xiaomi's Hugo Barra in 2014, the company sees hardware sales as a means of delivering software and services in the long term, "We are an Internet and a software company much more than a hardware company."[91] However, financial data available at the time indicated that this is either wishful thinking or plans for the far future: 94% of the company's revenue came from mobile phone sales, an even higher proportion than Apple.[88]
At first, to reduce overhead costs, Xiaomi did not own any physical stores, selling exclusively from its online store. In recent years, they have opened 54 brick and mortar stores to combat the strategies of other low-cost competitors in Chinese markets. It also did away with traditional advertising and relies on social networking services and word-of-mouth to publicise its products.[92]
By keeping a tight control over its stock, Xiaomi is able to place cheaper batch orders as demand dictates. Limited availability flash sales ensure that supply never outstrips demand and helps promote its products. In contrast, traditional OEMs incur large upfront productions costs, which must be recouped by selling prices, in order to ship phones, some of which may not sell, out to retailers all around the world.[93]
Xiaomi say that they listen closely to customer feedback, having them test out upcoming features themselves, and building an extensive online community.[94] Lei Jun described it this way, "When I was with Kingsoft, I had the opportunity to work with Nokia and Motorola, two mobile phone giants of their time. One day, I pointed out to their R&D boss, some inadequacies. After that, they merely acknowledged my input, but never acted upon what I had said. So I thought to myself, if I make a phone, you can tell me anything you wish for it or what's wrong. If it is justifiable, we will work on it immediately. I'll give you an update every week and you may even see your wishes come true within a week."[88][95] In practice, Xiaomi's product managers spend a lot of time browsing through the company's user forums. Once a suggestion is picked up, it is quickly transferred to the engineers. Therefore, features can turn from mere concept to shipping products within a week. The company then ships a new batch of phones out every week on Tuesday at noon Beijing time, containing the new software builds and possible minor hardware tweaks. Xiaomi calls this process "design as you build."[96]
According to the patent landscape report[97] published in December 2016 by a patent research and analytics firm GreyB Services,[98] Xiaomi owns 6989 patents with more than 90% of patents filed/acquired after 2012. The surge in number of patents was due to aggressive patent acquisition/licensing deals with many companies including Broadcom, Intel, and Microsoft. The patent acquisition was a strategic move by Xiaomi to strengthen its weak patent portfolio aligned with its global expansion plan to create a defence against patent lawsuits.
Xiaomi's mascot is a white rabbit wearing an Ushanka (known locally as a "Lei Feng hat" in China) with a red star and a red scarf around its neck.[99][100][101][102]
Controversies
GPL violation
Xiaomi was unfavorably covered for its non-compliance with the terms of the GNU GPL. The Android project's Linux kernel is licensed under the copyleft terms of the GPL, which requires Xiaomi to distribute the complete source code of the Android kernel and device trees for every Android device it distributes. By refusing to do so, or by unreasonably delaying these releases, Xiaomi is operating in violation of intellectual property law in China, as a WIPO state.[103] Prominent Android developer Francisco Franco publicly criticized Xiaomi's behaviour after repeated delays in the release of kernel source code.[104] Xiaomi has previously pledged to comply with the GPL in a timely fashion but has since reneged.[105]
Comparisons with Apple Inc.
Xiaomi has been compared to the American corporation Apple Inc., as reviewers found some of Xiaomi's phones and tablets similar in appearance to Apple's.[106][107] In addition, the marketing strategy of Xiaomi is at times described as riding on the back of the "cult of Apple".[108] It is reported that, after reading a book about Steve Jobs in college,[109][110] Xiaomi's chairman and CEO, Lei Jun,[111] carefully cultivated a Steve Jobs image,[112] including jeans, dark shirts,[113] and Jobs's announcement style at Xiaomi's earlier product announcements.[114] Given the above, he was categorized as a "counterfeit Jobs."[115][116]
In 2012, the company was said to be counterfeiting Apple's philosophy and mindset.[117] In 2013, critics debated how much of Xiaomi's products were innovative,[114][118][119] and how much of their innovation was just really good public relations.[120] Others point out that while there are similarities to Apple, the ability to customize the software based upon user preferences through the use of Google's Android operating system sets Xiaomi apart.[121]
During the Mi 4 unveiling conference in 2014, the presentation slides used Apple's iconic "One more thing..." slide before introducing the Mi Band; it was the only English language slide in the whole presentation.
Xiaomi has been also known for their hunger marketing tactics, which Apple also uses. "Sold out in just 50 seconds!" This comment is what an article said when Xiaomi released their latest smart phone, Mi Note 2, and it made more people focus on their new product. When Xiaomi releases new products, they make the shortest time record every time they sold out the new item. Their new products are only available for purchase on their official website, people who pre-registered could get a chance to make a purchase.
State administration of radio, film, and television issue
In November 2012, Xiaomi's smart set-top box stopped working one week after the launch due to the company having run afoul of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television.[122][123][124] The regulatory issues were overcome in January 2013.[125]
Hugo Barra
In August 2013, the company announced that it was hiring Hugo Barra from Google, where he served as vice president of product management for the Android platform.[118][126][127][128] Barra has declined to comment on the timing of the Google relationships, and stated that he had been in talks with Xiaomi for over a year prior to announcing the move.[129] He will be employed as vice president of Xiaomi to expand the company outside of mainland China, making Xiaomi the first company selling smartphones to poach a senior staffer from Google's Android team.[130] Barra's focus was to help Xiaomi grow internationally.[131][132] Barra quit his position in January 2017 to join Facebook as VP of virtual reality.[133]
Privacy concerns
Xiaomi's cloud storage service Mi Cloud stores all the user data in its servers located in China. There were also reports that Xiaomi's Cloud messaging service sends some private data like call logs and contact information to Xiaomi servers. Xiaomi later released a MIUI update that made cloud messaging optional, no private data is sent to Xiaomi servers if the cloud messaging service is turned off, as Xiaomi claimed.
In October 2014, Xiaomi announced that they are setting up servers outside of China for international users citing improved services and compliance to regulations in several nations.[134] Around the same time, the Indian Air Force issued a warning against Xiaomi phones, stating that they were a national threat as they sent user data to an agency of the Chinese government.[135]
In September 2016, Thijs Broenink, a computer science student, suspected a pre-installed app named AnalyticsCore in Xiaomi phones. Upon further investigation Thijs Broenink reported, through a blog post,[136] that AnalyticsCore can send device information, including IMEI, MAC address, Model, and other parameters, to Xiaomi servers. He also revealed Xiaomi phones having a backdoor allowing installation of any app without user approval. The veracity of his claims has yet to be verified.
Sales numbers
The Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission had investigated the flash sales and found that Xiaomi had sold fewer smartphones than advertised.[137] In December, 3 separate flash sales were investigated. In those flash sales Xiaomi claimed that the number of smartphone sold was 10,000 units each for the first two sales, and 8,000 units for the third one. However, FTC had investigated the claims and found out that Xiaomi only sold 9,339 devices in the first flash sale, 9,492 units in the second one, and 7,389 for the third.[138] It was found that during the first flash sale, Xiaomi had given 1,750 priority ‘F-codes’ to people who could place their orders without having to go through the flash sale, thus diminishing the stock that was publicly available. The FTC fined Xiaomi NT$600,000.[139]
Temporary ban in India
On 9 December 2014, the High Court of Delhi granted an ex parte injunction that banned the import and sale of Xiaomi products in India. This injunction was issued in response to a complaint filed by Ericsson in connection with the infringement of its patent licensed under FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non Discriminatory Licensing).[140] This injunction issued by the High Court was applicable until 5 February 2015, the date on which the High Court was scheduled to summon both parties for a formal hearing of the case. On 16 December The Delhi High Court granted permission to Xiaomi to sell its devices that are running on a Qualcomm-based processor until 8 January 2015.[141] Following this, Xiaomi held various sales on Flipkart including on 30 December 2014. With this sale, the company received press coverage when their flagship Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G phone sold out in 6 seconds.[142] The judge extended the division bench's interim order allowing Xiaomi to continue the sale of Qualcomm chipset-based handsets until March 2018.[143]
OTA remote code execution
On 7 July 2016, several technology news sources reported a severe vulnerability in the MIUI firmware developed by Xiaomi.[144] The hack targeted a flaw in the MIUI OTA (over-the-air) updating system.
See also
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- ^ "What Ex-Google Exec Hugo Barra Can Do for China's Xiaomi". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "Hugo Barra is leaving his position as head of international at Xiaomi after 3.5 years". Techcrunch. 22 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017.
- ^ Tung, Liam (23 October 2014). "Xiaomi moving international user data and cloud services out of Beijing". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ Sagar, Pradip (19 October 2014). "Chinese Smartphones a Security Threat, says IAF". The New Indian Express. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ "Reverse Engineering Xiaomi's Analytics app | Thijs Broenink". www.thijsbroenink.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Xiaomi Fined For Misleading Their Consumers, Selling Less Units Than Advertised". Yahoo! News. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "公平交易委員會新聞資料" [Fair Trade Commission Press Kit]. Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Xiaomi gets slapped with a $20,000 fine for misleading consumers in Taiwan". The Next Web. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Xiaomi banned in India following Delhi High Court injunction". the techportal.in. 10 December 2014. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Xiaomi India ban partially lifted by Delhi HC". The Times of India. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G sold out on Flipkart in 6 seconds". India Today. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Xiaomi Violating Delhi High Court's Interim Order, Says Ericsson". NDTV.com. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ Lynch, Kevin (7 July 2016). "Remote Code Execution in Xiaomi MIUI Analytics". Various.
External links
- "What is Xiaomi? | CNBC Explains". CNBC. 28 June 2018.
- "How Xiaomi broke out of China to go global | CNBC Reports". CNBC. 5 September 2019.
Products
Xiaomi produces many products. Notably, it produces smartphones which run on their own version of Android MIUI firmware. Observers suggest that part of Xiaomi's rapid success rests on its ability to differentiate itself within the Android universe.[1][need quotation to verify] The company has increased its range of products; its smartphones include: Mi Series, Mi Note Series (got a new update after 3 years, with the Mi Note 10 Pro), Mi Max Series (discontinued), Mi Mix Series, Pocophone, Blackshark and the Redmi Series. As well as mobile phones, Xiaomi has started selling wearables, mobile accessories, and appliances such as television and speakers. In 2018 it was selling tablets, laptops, and smart-home devices.
Xiaomi operates on a vertically-integrated model that enables the company to sell hardware at cost or below in order to attract users and earn money by selling content.[1] Hugo Barra, a former Google executive who served Xiaomi's vice president from 2014 to 2017, characterized the organization as "an Internet and a software company much more than a hardware company".[2]
Xiaomi also keeps its prices low or close to "bill-of-material" by keeping most of its products in the market longer, eighteen months rather than the six-month norm followed by many smartphone companies.[2] This strategy allows Xiaomi to take advantage of price reductions in the prices of key components of its products. It enables the company to sell hardware with specifications comparable to high-end devices at a fraction of the cost.[3][need quotation to verify]
The company's version of the Android operating system, the MIUI skin, with its design, app marketplace, and functionalities, has established a community of users[1] who form a crucial part of Xiaomi's customer base and contribute to the company's drive for market awareness. This ecosystem is a massive source of revenue as indicated in 2015, when sales from the platform reached $750 million.[4]
The company focuses on India, the world's second-largest smartphone market.[5][6] Xiaomi announced on May 2, 2018, the launch of Mi Music and Mi Video to offer "value-added internet services" in India.[7] On March 22, 2017, Xiaomi announced that it planned to set up a second manufacturing unit in India in partnership with contract manufacturer Foxconn.[8][9] On August 7, 2018, Xiaomi announced on its blog[10] that Holitech Technology Co. Ltd., Xiaomi's top supplier, would invest up to $200 million over the next three years to set up a major new plant in India.[11]
Recently Xiaomi started to sell more simple goods such as sunglasses, caps, pillows, glass lunchboxes, cups, filters, bags, backpacks, luggage, screwdrivers, and umbrellas.[12]
In April 2019, researchers at Check Point found a security breach in Xiaomi phone apps.[13][14] The security flaw was reported to be preinstalled.[15]
In 2019, the company announced launching more than 10 5G phones in 2020.[16]
Controversies
See also
References
- ^ a b c Liu, Qiao (2016). Corporate China 2.0: The Great Shakeup. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 205. ISBN 9781137603722.
- ^ a b Treadgold, Alan; Reynolds, Jonathan (2016). Navigating the New Retail Landscape: A Guide for Business Leaders. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 128. ISBN 9780198745754.
- ^ Xiaomi Patent Portfolio Analysis. LexInnova Technologies, LLC. 1 October 2014. p. 1.
- ^ Giachetti, Claudio (2018). Smartphone Start-ups: Navigating the iPhone Revolution. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 65. ISBN 9783319679723.
- ^ "Smartphone Upstart Xiaomi Brings Partner to India to Curry Local Favor - Caixin Global". www.caixinglobal.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ www.ETTelecom.com. "Indian smartphone market grows 23% to overtake US in Q3; Samsung, Xiaomi drive shipments - ET Telecom". ETTelecom.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Xiaomi Rolls Out Music, Video Apps in India - Caixin Global". www.caixinglobal.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Xiaomi to Partner with Foxconn to Open Second Factory in India". k.caixinglobal.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ Compare: Solutions, EIU Digital. "Xiaomi to open second manufacturing facility in India". www.eiu.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
Xiaomi Inc plans to set up a second manufacturing unit in India to cater to a growing demand for smartphones in the Asian country, according to media reports on March 22nd, citing a company announcement.
- ^ "[News] Xiaomi brings smartphone component manufacturing to India with Holitech Technology – Mi Blog". blog.mi.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Smartphone Upstart Xiaomi Brings Partner to India to Curry Local Favor - Caixin Global". www.caixinglobal.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ Matovsky, Roman (13 February 2019). "Xiaomi became a household goods store?". Matovsky.com. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ "Vulnerability in Xiaomi Pre-Installed Security App". Check Point Research. 4 April 2019.
- ^ "Check Point researchers find security breach in Xiaomi phone app | The Times of Israel".
- ^ Ng, Alfred. "Xiaomi phones came with security flaw preinstalled". CNET.
- ^ "China's Xiaomi says plans to launch more than 10 5G phones next year". Reuters. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.