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Hugo Barra plans to make Xiaomi the next Apple or Google

AndiSeptember 13, 2013

In a recent interview, Hugo Barra spoke about joining China’s Xiaomi and how excited he is to be part of the next Apple or Google!

The interview conducted my All Things D, speaks to Barra about his recent move from Google to Beijing’s Xiaomi. According to the article Xiaomi had shown interest in Barra over a year ago around the same time as the Mi2 launch, where the company approached him for advice on how they can become an international brand. This eventually led to Co-founder and fellow ex-Googler Bin Lin offering Barra the position as Head of Xiaomi Global.

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Hugo Barra will officially begin work at Xiaomi in Beijing in October where his focus will be on bringing products such as MIUI, the Xiaomi Mi3 and the Xiaomi TV to internationally customers. We don’t know exactly when this will happen, but Barra has high hopes for the young brand:

“If I do my job right, in a few years, the world will be talking about Xiaomi in the same way that they talk about Google and Apple today.”

[ Source ]

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About the author
Andi

Manish
September 13, 2013
How passion of one man can make a huge difference. Steve Jobs, was the fire behind the Apple’s futuristic and cutting edge products, which made apple rise to sky. Hugo needs same passion to excel and make name like Apple or even better. Already start of the fall of Apple has begun, as they miss the fire of Steve to excel. They have started the following step. So people will need replacement of Apple soon. Hugo wish you all the best…

Marius
September 13, 2013
They can start by releasing the source code for their phones which is what every major company does today.

RavenEffect
September 13, 2013
He has the correct Tools. Xiaomi’s products are already a major factor in Asia and their ranks are growing in Europe, slowly, but it’s growing.
When you have such a great built and well-polished product like the MI’s, it’s just a matter of marketing. I have 0 doubt that if you put a Xiaomi next to the iPhone or the Samsung in all the major stores, they will outsell them in no time since Xiaomi offers equal or superior quality at Nearly half the price. And currently thats the reason why people pay huge quantities for their Cells: the quality. Xiaomi offers the best Bang for your Buck.
I think Hugo Barra saw that, he recognized the Potential and I dont think his statement is exagerated, it’s a huge possibility and I can almost see the fire in his eyes. These guys have a thirst for progress.
- devast
  September 13, 2013
  If you’ve read about how xiaomi works, you should know, that they spend exactly $0 on marketing. No ads, phones can only be bought from xiaomis own webshop, etc… That’s how they roll, and it works. That’s why the phones are “cheap”. They should do the same in EU and USA. There’s no point in starting a marketing war with samsung or apple, since imho they cannot win that.
  - fred
    September 13, 2013
    +1 marketing cost to enter Europe and US markets will kill their low margin business model. They need to do the same they did in Asia, build a community that promote for almost free their products
  - RavenEffect
    September 13, 2013
    0 marketing in Europe or America will not Work, that’s a fact. If no1 knows about Xiaomi no1 will buy from them and without advertising people will still see it as just a chinese brand.
    In Asia it worked because its a Chinese brand, they know they have over there. For america and europe, well, it’s another Chinese brand, It has to be exposed properly and Im not talking about a marketing war, just enough to put them at the public’s radar, telling “Hey, we’re also in the run, try us out”. The product will sell itself that way.
    - João
      September 13, 2013
      yep, you are talking about branding, and that makes all the difference
      best regards,
      João
    - devast
      September 13, 2013
      You can consider social network marketing as a viable, very low-cost alternative. IF the product is good, and a price is great, they will exponentially grow in EU or US. Especially in the EU. Phones are really, really overpriced here.
      - anony
        September 15, 2013

dino
September 13, 2013
He spoke too soon.
But who the hell am I to judge ex google vp.
May be he has some tricks up his sleeve.
After all profits of apple were due to china outsource manufacturing.
Jobs saw opportunity in things most people disregarded.
So europe n americas might smday accept xiomi the way they acepted Honda Datsun n others…
Mateus
September 13, 2013
This Brazilian makes me so proud. I expect Xiaomi in Brazil soon, because the local manufacturers are shitty
Jogo
September 14, 2013
i sincerely hope they won’t put very high price for MI3 in EU… like 400euro, killing :)) too much…
Shafique
September 16, 2013
We welcome Mr. Hugo Barra with open hand in india, we always give preference to quality mobile at affordable price..
XIAOMI is Welcome in INDIA