Xiaomi gives cool (or lazy?) folks in China the option to move around on its very affordable Ninebot mini. It’s a sure shot way to neglect your fitness, but if you don’t want to fall into that trap, there’s a healthier — albeit pricier — alternative in the making.
Xiaomi have invested in iRiding, a startup that makes a $3000 ‘smart’ bicycle. This is the very bicycle that Xiaomi will sell.
It’ll be sold through Xiaomi’s e-commerce platforms under the QiCycle brand.
The bike comes with sensors and such, and with a weight of just 7 kilograms (15.4pounds), the bike is fairly lightweight. It works on a hybrid system, with energy harnessed from pedalling and electric batteries.
Gizchina News of the week
According to folks privy to the matter, the Taiwan-assembled bike will soon have a more affordable sibling, directly under the Xiaomi brand. This version is expected to sell at a more Xiaomi-esque $450-500.
With each passing year, Xiaomi’s interest — and portfolio — expands towards being a lifestyle brand. Action cameras, phones, tablets, smart home accessories, a scooter, are a few things that Xiaomi already has in the offering.
I wonder why big companiess think that diversifying like crazy is the way to go?
They seem to be trying to grasp any option for success while sometimes forgetting to improve the reliable product line they already have…
What’s next a Xiaomi house?
Even balco was a bit ley down by TVE Mi5… Oh well things are the way they are.
I love that you can get stuff under the Xiaomi brand, all kinds of stuff. IMO this doesn’t really affect Xiaomi’s core business as Xiaomi is not really directly involved in all these products sold under their brand.
It’s just a guarantee of quality to me and it’s the fact that you can buy it at an affordable price.
Xiaomi isn’t going to manufacture bycicles though, they’ll just invest in a company that does, ask these folks to make an more affordable model and support them with the brand and money to sell large quantities so they can sell it at this lower price. I see this as a win-win for everyone.
I’m not sure if the Mi5 is bad or not but my Redmi Note 2 is the best phone I’ve had an my next phone is likely going to be a Xiaomi too. I’ve also concinced 3 other people I know to get a Xiaomi phone and one got a Xiaomi router.
I also bought a Xiaomi water quality checker and 2 power banks just because they were under the Xiaomi brand, I wouldn’t have trusted them otherwise as I don’t know Chinese brands.