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Xiaomi gets into drone business

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 24 May 2016
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi will unwrap its drone this week.
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi will unwrap its drone this week.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi will release its own drone this week.

A teaser video from the company shows the drone to be an all-white quadcopter with a camera attached to the bottom.

Xiaomi launched its smartphone business in SA last year. The start-up from China aims to provide high-quality technology at affordable prices.

Xiaomi says it sells its products very close to the cost price, to keep prices low.

Other than smartphones, it also produces headsets, fitness bands, power banks and air purifiers, among other gadgets.

Sami Lou, a Chinese tech reviewer who posted the teaser video to YouTube, says the new drone will reportedly be able to follow users around based on the device it is attached to.

"Some rumours have stated you'll be able to control this drone via the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness tracker, though we don't know how probable that is," says Lou.

"Either way, the drone will almost certainly be controllable via the companion app Xiaomi will release."

Other rumours include the camera being able to shoot in 4K, there being several variants of the drone and a starting price of $611 (R9 672).

The company is expected to live broadcast the unveiling event tomorrow.

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