Almost a month ago I decided to take a closer look at the world of Android. To do this, I took the people's flagship - Xiaomi Mi 9. Today it is the cheapest device based on Snapdragon 855: it looks decent and quickly runs the interface with the software.
On Android, the company uses its proprietary MIUI shell. In its original form, it is very reminiscent of iOS. But it has several interesting features that the iPhone lacks.
I highlighted 10 interesting possibilities. It's a pity that only one of them is in the pre-release version of iOS 13.
Split screen to use multiple apps
Split-screen in MIUI can be launched using the multitasking menu
When the iPhone X came out, I was 100% sure that the device would receive several unique features that would play up its elongated screen with an aspect ratio of approximately 18/9.
My colleagues and I were waiting for a split screen to simultaneously work with several applications: YouTube + Telegram, VLC + Viber, Chrome + iMessage, two windows for Safari, and so on. We haven't waited yet.
On the current flagship iPhone Xs Max, this opportunity is just asking for it. But iOS developers don't think so yet. They left split-screen only on iPadOS - apparently so that we would buy tablets more actively.
MIUI proved to me that the size of the smartphone screen is enough to work normally with a couple of programs at once.
Gesture commands
A relatively new feature that has not yet become boring. Some don't even really know what we're talking about. It's all about copying the developments of the American apple again. Apple brought something new to phone control, and Xiaomi immediately picked it up. This applies mainly and was intended only for frameless models: Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus, Mi Mix and Mi Mix 2. The essence of the innovation is to disable the on-screen buttons, while the useful display area increases. Its dimensions are rather large, hence the need to somehow make it easier to control the screen. After practicing for several days, you will understand that it was not in vain that you suffered and the method is justified.
Starting with MUIU 9.5.3.0, everything described was implemented in the stable global version; before that, the owners of the developer were playing around with the new product. Go to Settings - Unlimited Screen and select the "full screen gestures" option. You will be offered all possible finger movements with which you can control the phone. You can’t change anything, you can only use it or return to the old proven push-button method. As clearly as possible, as always with Xiaomi, an animated demonstration of gestures will show everything you need.
It would be a shame for all other owners of five-inch screens to be left without such a tasty morsel. However, do not rush to be upset, the company has prepared something for us too.
I go into the settings of my Redmi 4 Pro, looking for everything related to gesture commands. And I find a considerable number of them:
- screenshot - swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (option “buttons and gestures” in advanced settings), animation will show how to do this;
- one-handed control - if you swipe your finger to the right or left from the home button, you can reduce the size of the screen, from 5 to 3.5 inches. Everything is located in the same advanced settings;
- In the special features option there are adjustments to the image scale on the screen:
- You can enable the option to zoom in on the image. To do this, you need to touch the screen with one finger three times.
- To scroll, use two fingers;
- To change the scale, pinch or spread two fingers.
- To temporarily zoom in, you need to quickly tap the screen three times and hold on the last tap.
- To review, swipe across the screen.
- To zoom out, release your finger.
The last point only works with pictures; do not try to control your smartphone’s navigation using this method.
Full multitasking and running applications in the background
We have long forgotten about the main difference between the iOS and Android operating systems. The first never had full-fledged multitasking, and the second is built on it.
On iPhone, apps practically don't work in the background. After a couple of minutes of inactivity, they are paused, and this has its advantages: iOS works faster, it uses battery power more efficiently.
There are also some downsides. Some programs can only work fully on Android.
For example, Google maps monitors the situation around me in the background and reports about accidents and traffic jams while I’m in the office, rather than going somewhere and turning on the navigator.
Application bifurcation
Recently, the Chinese replaced this wording with “cloning” applications. It is located in the same place as it was in MIUI 9—in the phone settings. There is a point in creating copies of programs; it lies in the fact that sometimes you need to log into the same utility under different accounts. This is especially true for the second space on a smartphone; it is organized by the user precisely with the goal of hiding personal secrets as deeply as possible. By installing an input into a second phone (on one device), this creates a niche that only you and no one else has access to.
The described option has approximately the same goals. We go into it and see a list of applications available for duplication. We give permission to make a duplicate and receive a copy of the program on the desktop. To avoid confusion, it will be called a duplicate.
The opportunities have increased, haven't they? This is especially true for those who have two Whatsapp or Viber accounts linked to different SIM cards.
Finally, I advise you to read the company’s privacy policy, which outlines the principles of non-interference in the user’s personal space; we are assured that all our secrets will be safe and sound.
Flexible work with notification center and control center
You can even add a weather widget to the notification center.
I remember the days when you could add widgets to the iOS Notification Center. If my memory serves me correctly, it disappeared after the transition from iOS 6 to iOS 7. In the world of skeuomorphism, there was a place for weather between messages from Push, and then it disappeared.
On any Android, and the MIUI shell is no exception, you can add functional widgets to the curtain. Now I have the weather hanging there, and previously there was a list of upcoming things to do from the Any.do application.
I also like that the “Notification Center” and “Control Center” in the MIUI version are not separated, like in iOS. They can definitely be combined without loss of functionality.
How to calibrate the screen
As mentioned above, the smartphone has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280×720p and a density of 294 ppi. The screen on the phone has rich, bright colors, but in the “Standard” mode there is a slight “yellowishness”. But thanks to the highly customizable MIUI shell, you can change the screen color by going to the phone settings, and then to the “Screen” section.
Smart interaction with two physical SIM cards
My main smartphone is an iPhone Xs Max with two physical SIMs. I actively use packages from two telecom operators from different countries, and today this opportunity is fundamental for me.
After using Xiaomi Mi 9, it became clear to me that iOS does not have all the necessary capabilities to work with a pair of SIMs. Even in the dialer, instead of two buttons for each number, there is only an inconvenient switch between them.
There is one obvious flaw. If you find a phone book entry through Spotlight, there is no option in the dialing menu to switch to a second SIM.
By the way, iOS 13 introduced a mode for automatically switching between the mobile Internet of both SIMs, depending on the availability of coverage. MIUI has had it for a long time.
How to set your own ringtone
If, for some reason, you don’t like the list of standard ringtones in the device settings and you haven’t found an interesting ringtone in the Xiaomi online library, then you can set your own ringtone. To do this, you need to download the audio file you need. Find the “ringtons” folder, which, in turn, is located in the “MIUI” folder and move it there.
Or go to your device's settings. Find the “Sound and vibration” section and click on “Incoming call”. There you will see a “+” sign. Click on it and set the downloaded ringtone as your ringtone.
Physical button to launch the camera built into the smartphone
On the left side of the Xiaomi Mi 9 - directly opposite the power key - there is a special physical button, which is required as standard to launch the Google intelligent assistant.
Using MIUI, it can be reconfigured to activate the camera. This summer I shot a lot underwater at sea using a universal transparent bag-type case. You won’t be able to activate the viewfinder through a wet screen , but using a button is very easy.
By the way, it’s a shame that Samsung doesn’t have such a convenient way to reconfigure an additional button in our country. To opt out of the branded voice assistant, you will need a SIM card from a foreign operator.
How can you use the infrared port
All Xiaomi phones have an IR port on the top of the case. It can be used to control various household appliances. To connect to it, find the “Mi Remote” application on your device. Open it and there you will need to select the category of equipment that can be controlled. Then, from the proposed list of manufacturers, find exactly the one you need. After this, go through the connection stage.
Dedicated confidential space for important data
You can activate the second space in MIUI through the operating system settings.
We have been waiting for a long time for the possibility of using iOS by several users. This is especially important on the iPad, but on the iPhone it would also be convenient to turn on the child mode with all the necessary restrictions and only then hand the smartphone to him.
Xiaomi already has something similar - “Second Space”. This is a tool for confidentially storing information, which is password protected, and can be used as an additional profile.
What is MIUI
MIUI is the user interface, or shell, of the Android operating system on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones. As of April 2021, the newest version of this system is MIUI 12.
With each firmware, new features are added that make Xiaomi phones even more convenient.
MIUI has both pros and cons. Among the disadvantages, many users note the presence of advertising in the system, which pops up when performing certain tasks. But there are still more advantages. For example, MIUI is very convenient for customization: for example, it has special applications that change not only the wallpaper for the home page and lock screen, but also the design of the icons. And in addition to standard Android capabilities, Xiaomi phones can perform tasks that others cannot. For example, automatically record calls, scan documents and broadcast radio. All these applications are built right into the system. But MIUI is not only about applications. We’ll tell you what else now.
Obvious energy saving mode with clear boundaries
There is information in the depths of the Internet about how the power saving mode on the iPhone works, but no explanation is provided when activating it.
In MIUI, everything is a little clearer: it limits the activity of system applications, freezes programs in the background, clears memory when the device is locked, and also disables data and GPS synchronization.
What's interesting is that energy savings can be automatically used at night . Through the settings you can set a schedule for turning it on.
Adaptive mode
MIUI 11 has a deep adaptive operating mode, the main task of which is to control the operation of background processes and applications. If it is enabled, the system on Xiaomi will monitor the operation of applications, and those that indulge in excess will be forcibly closed until the user launches it again.
Thus, quietly but effectively, the smartphone saves battery power and your nerves.
To get to the hidden adaptive mode, enter “power” , then select the first item, as in the screenshot.
You will be taken to the
“Battery” , where two identical subsections await you, we are interested in the bottom one.
This is where the treasured switch is hidden, activate it. Return to content
Black and White list
Back in the ancient times of King Pea, at the dawn of mobile communications, a paid service suddenly appeared from a cellular operator called the “black list”. Not a single phone of that era could boast of blocking unwanted calls, but the offer from the operator did not solve all the problems. Having used this option for a short time, I was forced to abandon it. The calls still broke through the barrier redoubts, which caused some irritation.
Only a few years later, when I bought my first Xiaomi phone, did I get a real, actually working tool of a similar name.
Today it has been improved and is an easy-to-use option. To activate, click on the “security” icon on the main screen, then click on “antispam”.
All black and white list settings are located here. Tap on the gear in the upper left corner and find yourself in the treasured window. First of all, you need to enable antispam itself, then you will be prompted:
- Blocking messages - choose a blocking method, either from all unknown numbers or SMS from contacts.
In addition, incoming messages may be blocked if they contain keywords. You come up with them and add them to the “black list” separated by commas. Everything described above, but exactly the opposite, must be done in the “white list” - keywords added separated by commas will carry a kind of “password” for accessing the phone. Such SMS will be accepted and you can read them. - Call blocking - you can block unknown or forwarded numbers, all without exception.
For those suffering from persecution mania, there is an option to completely block all contacts from the phone book. True, in this case it is unclear why the phone is needed at all. The last option with blocking calls from hidden numbers at least has a logical basis. - Lists of contacts to block. We've reached the black and white list.
Having entered the option, we notice a plus sign at the bottom called “add”; three options for the displayed block will be offered:
- by phone number;
- by added prefix (you can protect yourself with a list targeting, say, a cellular operator);
- Finally, you can select a complete contact from your phone book.
We do everything just mentioned (if necessary) with a white list. By default, if nothing is specified, there are no restrictions on calls.
You will probably have some questions about what has been described. I described all this while holding my Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro in my hand, on which I had just recently rolled out MIUI 10. The ninth version of the MIUI shell is different from the newest one, but there have been minor changes related to the way the material is presented. Instead of “Antispam” you will find “Black List” with the same set of tools. In addition to the security menu, you can access the white and black list settings through the dialer. The menu is located in the lower right corner, as well as from system applications, selecting the “calls” option there (in the top ten it is called “call settings”). Or from system applications, the selection is similar to the previous methods.
