As the smartphone and tablets market reach saturation in many markets, manufacturers are increasingly turning to wearables as the next market to drive revenues and profits. A large number of companies, both large and small, have already launched or about to launch products. You can now add China’s Xiaomi to that list. GizChina reports that the company will soon introduce its own fitness band called the Mi Band.
Details are slim at this point but Xiaomi’s Mi Band will reportedly offer the typical notifications and sports and basic health monitoring as well as act as a watch. Unlike wearables like the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, it will not run Android Wear but its own custom operating system. It was also recently allegedly spotted on CEO Lei Jun’s wrist.
Fitting into the company’s low-cost selling strategy, the Mi Band could sell for as low as 199 (about CA$35). Companies like Fitbit which offer very similar products are likely watching Xiaomi closely at this point.
It’s unlikely that the Xiaomi Mi Band will make its way to North America this year. That could change as early as next year with Xiaomi already starting to think about bringing its wares, including inexpensive smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 3, to Canada and the U.S. as early as 2015.
Source : GizChina