In just a few hours Xiaomi will reveal their next huge hit, the Android powered Xiaomi TV (aka Xiaomi Box) which will attempt to take on Apple in the home media multimedia TV department, but if you can’t wait for the official launch then we have all the leaked photos, screen shots and details you need right now!
Xiaomi TV Design
From the various leaked photos of the Xiaomi TV we have seen spring up over the web the past week or so, the Xiaomi TV will measure in slightly larger than the Apple TV, with a single HDMI, Ethernet and what appears to be a USB port to the rear.
The exterior is a simple black plastic design with only the ‘Mi’ logo on top, tapered sides and what appears to be a single white notification LED on the front.
Like the Apple TV, Xiaomi’s Android powered set-top box will get its own simple remote control with basic functions such as play, pause, skip ETC.
Xiaomi TV specification
Xiaomi have managed to keep the bulk of the specification a secret however a few details have managed to slip out such as support for both DLNA and Apple Airplay, meaning should be able to stream video from enabled Android or iOS devices straight to the Xiaomi TV!
According to rumors the Xiaomi box will be powered by an ARM A9 Cortex CPU, and will support up to 1080p video playback, similar to the Apple TV. Android 4.0 ICS is likely to be the OS of choice and video support should include H.264, MPeg4, VC1 and real720p.
Xiaomi TV funtions
We’ve been under the impression that the Xiaomi TV will offer more of a mini PC type of user experience, however these leaked screenshots seem to suggest that Xiaomi are aiming for more of an Apple TV experience.
It looks as though the Xiaomi TV will run its own Video app and will allow you to stream movies and shows from that and also stream content you own from your PC, MAC, iOS or Android device, however it is unclear if the Xiaomi TV will allow for web browsing, gaming, the installation of 3rd party Apps or if it will support the Google Play store.
Xiaomi TV pricing
Xiaomi are likely to set pricing for their Android STB at 499 Yuan ($80) which is cheaper than the Apple TV. It will also be easier to buy (in China) as Apple have yet to release their ‘Hobby’ on the Chinese mainland.
Keep posted for more Xiaomi TV news as we get it.
How about the content and language ? IE. will there be english UI and english subitles for some chinese movies ? (or western show/movies in original language with chinese subs) ?
LOL. That onscreen display has all the eye candy of a PowerPoint presentation circa 1993.
They could have just reskinned XBMC and had an infinitely better looking product. There is absolutely nothing “hot” about this new product. It looks like a disaster.