Xiaomi has announced a new partnership with Android TV, which will see its 4k Mi Box set-top unit hit shelves in the United States later this year.
If it looks, works, and sounds like an Apple TV, what could Xiaomi’s latest foray into the Android TV realm be called? Mi Box, of course.
Having previously teased that it was in some way involved with the the first batch of announcements at Google IO 2016, Xiaomi has unveiled its own 4K set-top box designed to run Android TV.
Read: Top 5: Announcements at Google IO 2016 Day 1
The fact of the matter is, Xiaomi’s set-top box could end up being far better than Apple’s self-proclaimed ‘hobby’ unit. Bearing 8GB of flash memory, 2GB of RAM, a quad core Cortex-A53 processor and output capable of up to 60 frames per second in 4K, the Mi Box arrives ready to party.
Xiaomi’s newest device will further include voice commands and support for Google Cast. The unit will be controlled by a Bluetooth-enabled wireless remote that looks somewhat similar to the Nvidia Shield.
Further, Xiaomi’s set-top box will include a unique gaming controller for consumers who wish to use the platform to play games.
The Chinese company has so far declined to offer any information as to specifically when we can expect to see the device on shelves – or what price it will retail for, for that matter – the device is expected to be the first in Xiaomi’s set-top lineup to arrive in the United States.
Read: Google Home is your new homebound control centre
What are your thoughts on the Xiaomi Mi Box? Could this pose any significant threat to other set top units, such as Apple TV? Be sure to let us know your perspective in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
