It’s clear that smart devices are the way of the future but, thankfully, enterprising companies like Xiaomi are offering ways to convert any monitor, TV or sundry display into something smarter so you can enjoy vivid and immersive visual experiences anywhere you like.
Xiaomi’s range of devices, some of which we’ll discuss below, just need to be plugged into your display and then plugged into the provided power adapter, and you’re ready to go. It’s that easy.
The ease of use continues as soon as you switch the devices on. Those with an interest in TVs know that every manufacturer tries to use their own interface and operating system which means a steep learning curve on new software.
Xiaomi instead uses Android TV meaning that many Android phone users will already be at home right away. Even for those who haven’t used any types of Android before will find the OS here suitably easy to understand and use.
But how will you use it? Xiaomi offers several types of media players to suit your needs with different form factors, features and prices.
Do you have a big TV that’s the centrepiece of the lounge which needs a new brain? Consider the Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K Ultra HD Streaming Media Player.
This sleek black box fits covertly into any media centre thanks to its small size offering 4K HD + HDR streaming and media playback. The integration with Android continues thanks to the physical remote – included in the box along with the aforementioned power adapter and an HDMI cable – that you can talk into to use Google Assistant.
But let’s say you need something smaller. Maybe you have a smaller display somewhere else in the house, or plans to move your media with you more often.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Android 9.0 Media Player (for 1080p playback) or the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick 4K Media Player (for 4K) are both fantastic choices in this use case.
Both take the form of so-called “TV sticks” which neatly fit into an HDMI port and hide away unnoticed. Despite this smaller size you can enjoy many of the same media and streaming features of larger devices, along with a physical remote in the box together with other accessories like the power adapter. Don’t forget to use the supplied power adapter for the best viewing experience.
On top of everything Xiaomi offers you in the world of media players and smart TV sticks what cannot be overlooked is the company’s presence in South Africa and the ease of which you can buy exactly the product you want, when you want it.
A great example of this is the dedicated Xiaomi store on Takealot which you can visit here.
You will find that many other brands require you to buy off of their own smaller sites which means jumping through hoops to make accounts and going through payment services you may not be familiar with.
By offering its products on one of the country’s favourite ecommerce sites, South Africans can shop quickly and easily on a familiar platform while enjoying all the benefits of Takealot such as the bevvy of payment and delivery options.
