The famous taxi service provider Uber has just teamed up with Xiaomi for delivering their latest smartphone model, the new Mi Note, to customers. What can you expect from this? You won’t receive your order at your door on the same day, but within minutes.
If you’re based in Singapore or Malaysia and you use the Uber app for ordering taxis, in a few days you’ll notice a new feature at the bottom of your smartphone screen. You’ll have the possibility to purchase the new Mi Note following the same steps that you would for ordering an Uber. Pick “Xiaomi” with the slider in your app, request the smartphone and presto! It will be delivered to you through an Uber taxi.
The payment mirrors the exact process used by Uber. Your credit or debit card will be charged as soon as you will place your order. All you have to do is wait a few minutes until your doorbell rings and you get the new Mi Note.
Xiaomi’s marketing strategy is, of course, merely a stunt meant to attract more business and to make the brand as known as possible. However, the quirky idea caught on and the team is even thinking of expanding to new territories. Xiaomi has just launched new products in Asia and Brazil and they are even paving their way to a US release. According to Xiaomi’s VP, Hugo Bara, they are now working on patents for protecting their design and features:
“if it’s a patent and it’s an essential patent then, of course, it needs to be licensed. Secondly, we’re building our own portfolio of patents, for defensive purposes”
Starting July 27th you’ll be able to acquire the new Mi Note for just a little under 400$. Let’s take a look at Xiaomi’s latest release. Mi Note sports a 5.7 inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 pixel display and 3 GB of RAM.
After you’ve placed your order with your Uber app, you can follow the taxi as it makes its way to you to deliver the phone. The exclusive Uber delivery will take place a day before the new Mi Note smartphone will hit the shelves in the official stores, so if you live in Singapore or Malaysia you’ll get the privilege of testing out the smartphone before anyone else.
Uber and Xiaomi’s collaboration is momentarily short timed, but there have been rumors of a long term partnership. The mutually beneficial collaboration is bound to emphasize the taxi service’s speed and to raise some hype around the launch of the new Mi Note.