Xiaomi has struck a partnership with Uber that will allow users to order the Chinese company's new device through the taxi hailing app.
The Chinese smartphone company released its flasgship 5.7-inch Mi Note in Singapore and Malaysia on Thursday. Uber customers in Singapore and Kuala Lumpar will be able to order the handset in a pre-launch flash sale via the Uber app on July 27, a day before the smartphone goes on sale on Xiaomi's official store.
A user would have to open the Uber app and use a slider at the bottom of the screen to select "Xiaomi". Orange colored cars on the map will show a vehicle that is equipped to deliver the Xiaomi device. When a user hits request, the payment will be taken through the credit card linked to a rider's Uber account and the Mi Note will be delivered to the user "within a few minutes", according to Xiaomi.
Xiaomi and Uber are the world's two highest valued private tech companies worth $46 billion and $41 billion respectively. Xiaomi is one of the world's largest smartphone makers and much of its success has been built on the way it has marketed its devices online and sold through online channels. The move to partner with Uber is a continuation of that.
The smartphone maker has also been expanding out of its domestic market in China and the Uber deal is and attempt to help its marketing push in Singapore and Malaysia.
