Starting today, the Chinese electronics brand Xiaomi, well known in India for its bestselling smartphones, will be rolling out the stable (i.e. bug free) release of their newest software MIUI 8 to select Xiaomi devices.
MIUI 8 was released on 8 July as a beta release (i.e. the initial release with potential bugs). The Xiaomi devices that will have MIUI 8 are:
Mi 2, Mi 2S, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Mi 5, Redmi 1S, Redmi 2, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 3G, Redmi Note 4G, Redmi Note Prime, Redmi 3, Redmi 3S, Redmi 3S Prime, Mi Note, and Mi Max.
Here's a look at some of the most useful features of the software update:
1. Dual apps
One of the most sought after features for Indian users is to run two instances of WhatsApp on their phones. Since most phones sold here have dual SIM, many users want separate WhatsApp accounts for each SIM. But since you can have only one number tied to the app, it is not possible to run two WhatsApp accounts.
Now, because of the dual app feature, it is possible to run two accounts of WhatsApp, Uber, Tinder, Facebook and more on Xiaomi phones.
2. Scrolling Screenshots
Often, you see an article or a web page on the Internet and you want its screenshot. But if it is a long piece, you cannot fit it in the screen. Now, MIUI 8 allows you to take longer screenshots which you can edit instantly.
3. Folder in SMS
With all the OTPs and confirmation messages now, the SMS box is one of the most cluttered places in the phone. Thankfully, MIUI 8 separates business and personal messages. Additionally, it also defines an action on certain messages. Such as calendar integration for meetings and recharge integration for low-balance messages from the service provider.
4. Caller ID
Xiaomi claims that their new caller ID is a mix of crowd-sourced data and openly available data. The company has partnered with Domino's, Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon, to identify their delivery persons' contact through the new caller ID.
5. Easy File Transfer
MIUI has some nifty tools to transfer data from PC to mobile, or from mobile to mobile. MIUI already had the option to transfer files between PC and mobile phones through the FTP protocol. Now, it also has Mi drop functionality, which works like Apple's air drop to transfer files between two MI devices.
6. Mi Dialer
The new dialer allows smart searching for users with inbuilt T9 support. Apart from the contacts in your phone, you can search for the contacts of businesses as well. The new dialer supports Hindi input as well.
7. Image and video editor
Image editing has become an essential part of the Internet experience. Everyone likes to tweak and put filters on pictures they have clicked. Xiaomi provides an inbuilt tool for intermediate level picture editing. It has included a video editor in MIUI 8 as well. The users can also crop the video, add effects, and add audio.
8. Calculator, Times messages and other bits
MIUI's inbuilt calculator now allows unit conversions, as well as conversions of currency, temperature, weight, and more.
Now, you can schedule SMSes for birthdays or anniversaries in advance from the messaging app. Other goodies included in the update are data monitor, themes, virus scanner, memory scanner, backup tools and power management.
If your Mi device has received the update, let us know how the experience is.