Entry 2 - Focus on Xiaomi after Hugo Barra's departure

Why is Xiaomi important today?

Xiaomi is a Chinese company that focuses on rendering technological devices accessible to everyone. It produces hardware, software, and internet services, and have developed a wide range of products including the Mi Note Pro, Mi Note, Mi 4, Redmi 2, Mi TV, Mi Band, and many other accessories. Like many other Chinese companies, the company hopes to "expand its footprint across the world to become a global brand." [1] The company enters in the logic of China's expansionist attitude abroad, although recent news discuss the company's slowdown, especially after the departure of Hugo Barra, the vice-president of the international division of Xiaomi. [2] 

What technological contribution has the company brought?

Xiaomi was founded in 2010 by Lei Jun. It has been qualified as the "Apple of China" in recent years and has known phenomenal growth in China and abroad. However, the departure of Hugo Barra and the company's absence from the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s largest gathering for the mobile industry, have slowed down Xiaomi's growth. One of the reasons for Xiaomi's absence from the MWC is, according to TechCrunch, the fact that the company hadn't produced its new smartphone device yet and was working on the launch of its new Mi6 phone. [3] The founder himself admitted that the company is going through a transitional phase after a fast pace growth. Xiaomi will need time to recalibrate its focus in order to remain competitive on the tech market.

Hugo Barra presenting the new phone Mi5
at the Mobile World Congress

References

[1] Xiaomi Mobile Internet website. Date Accessed: 1 Jan. 2017.<http://www.mi.com/en/about/> 

[2] Kara Swisher. "Exclusive: Hugo Barra Talks About His Future at Xiaomi and Why He Really Left Google," All Things D. Date Accessed: 1 Jan. 2017.

<http://allthingsd.com/20130912/exclusive-hugo-barra-talks-about-his-future-at-xiaomi-and-why-he-left-google/>

[3] Jon Russell. "Xiaomi is skipping Mobile World Congress entirely this year," TechCrunch. Date Accessed: 1 Jan. 2017. <https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/25/xiaomi-is-skipping-mobile-world-congress/>