Xiaomi Beats Apple With Smart Shoes

Xiaomi has gotten some negative press for allegations that it has been copying products manufactured by Apple. Since the company opened shop, it has been launching devices that are very similar to iPhone units – with regards to the physical looks.

Recently though, Tech Times has reported that Xiaomi is going to be releasing a new device that it did not copy from the Cupertino-based tech giant. Xiaomi will be speeding past Apple in the wearable tech industry with its all-new smart shoes.

The Mi smartphone maker has collaborated with Li Ning, a Chinese brand associated with sporting goods and fitness apparatuses, to create the Li Ning Smart Shoes. Taking a look at Xiaomi’s new smart shoes, they do not look any different from the standard sports shoes that are present in the market today. What sets it apart from the rest are its features.

Under a cutout found on the shoe’s heel portion, there is a tiny Bluetooth fitness tracker that sends details to the user’s smartphone unit. According to Gizmo China, the tracker is installed with military grade motion sensors that send fitness data to Xiaomi’s Mi Fit fitness app. Its main advertised function might be associated with walking or running, but to date, it remains unclear whether or not the shoes can obtain other data.

Xiaomi’s smart shoes are waterproof as well as sweat-proof. It can also withstand the pressure of pounding feet.

Li Ning plans to sell the shoes for 199 yuan (about AU$43 or US$32), which is very cheap, considering that other standard shoes that do not have smart technology may cost buyers in the United States $32 as well. A higher end variant is planned to be sold at 299 yuan (about AU$65 or $64) and will be out in the market pretty soon as well. However, both Li Ning and Xiaomi did not give away any indications about the differences between the two versions of their smart shoes.

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