Great news for Mi fans, Xiaomi is getting ready to roll out their latest OS - the MIUI 8 globally with a beta ROM through online. Only a few selected devices will get the update today and the rest of the devices will follow. Below are the official devices that can get the beta ROM:

Xiaomi made several announcements recently which included the release of their latest update to their MIUI Android interface, MIUI 7. New features include face recognition in Gallery and much more with the official launching happening in India on 19 August 2015. The company also announced the official release of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime from 799 CNY (RM503) and 999 CNY (RM628) respectively. Notable tech specs and features include the latest MediaTek Helio X10 processor, a 13MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and an IR blaster remote control function. In related news, Xiaomi also announced their Mi Wi-Fi Nano PCB smart router for 79 CNY (RM49). No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but we expect the Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime to arrive in Malaysia soon. Check out the full tech specs and pics below:

• 64-bit octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor
• 2GB LPDDR3 RAM
• 16GB / 32GB (Redmi Note 2 Prime) storage + microSD card slot
• 5.5-inch display (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution)
• 13MP rear camera (phase detection autofocus) + 5MP front camera (beautify mode)
• features IR blaster, 4G Dual SIM
• 152mm x 76mm x 8.25mm | 160g
• 3060 mAh battery
• Android 5.0

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has apparently appeared on China's TENAA looking much like the Redmi Note. Apparently there may be two versions, one with an octa-core MediaTek MT6795 processor and one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. Other tech specs are the same with 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and 3020 mAh battery. The rumoured fingerprint scanner is not on this Redmi Note 2 but it could appear on another upcoming Xiaomi device soon. As it is, there are no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet.

Xiaomi recently announced several news including that as of the first half of 2015 they've managed to sell 34.7 million smartphones. This has allowed them to maintain their ranking as China's top smartphone vendor in terms of market share for the fifth consecutive quarter. The Mi 2, Mi 3, Redmi, Redmi Note, Mi 4 and Redmi 2 in particular have so far shipped over 10 million units each. In related news, they have also appointed former partner of international investment fund DST Shou Zi Chew as their new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Other big name joins include former president of Qualcomm Greater China, Wang Xiang who became senior vice president of strategic cooperation at Xiaomi. Xiaomi have also announced their entry into new markets such as Brazil with their Redmi 2 smartphone going for as low as 499 BRL (RM599). No news yet of any other Xiaomi releases for Malaysia but stay tuned for more developments.

Alcatel OneTouch (TCT Mobile Malaysia) just launched their Alcatel OneTouch Flash smartphone for the selfie masses here in Malaysia at just RM699. Equipped with a 5MP front camera, 1.4GHz octa-core processor, 13MP rear camera and 5.5-inch IPS display, the smartphone is Alcatel's answer to the Xiaomi Redmi Note. Available in grey and white, the OneTouch Flash looks to offer the same rounded corner look as the previous OneTouch Idol series but also has a metallic trim along the side. Check out our hands-on photos and the full tech specs below:

• 1.4GHz octa-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage
• 5.5-inch display (IPS, 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, MiraVision color enhancer)
• 13MP rear camera (auto focus, LED Flash, face tracking) + 5MP front camera (beauty enhancement feature)
• features HotKnot (NFC) technology, OTG support
• supports Dual SIM dual standby, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 with EDRm GPS
• 152.1 x 76.2 x 8.1mm | 150g
• 3200 mAh battery
• Android 4.4.2 KitKat

In the next few days, Xiaomi Malaysia is going to launch a number of discounts and bundle offers on its upcoming devices. The company has announced two sale dates – 11 December 2014 and 16 December 2014 when it will sell its three new devices; the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G smartphone, the 16000mAh Mi Power Bank and the Mi in-Ear headphones. These devices can be ordered after exactly 12PM on the said dates. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G model can be purchased separately for RM589 on both these dates, however, if you want to purchase any of Xiaomi's accessories, you'll have to purchase one of the two bundles which will be available on those days. For example, the Power bundle adds a Xiaomi PowerBank with the Redmi Note 4G. There are three different variants of the power bundle available, each with a different power bank. They are listed as below:

• Bundle 1: Redmi Note 4G + 5200 mAh Mi Power Bank - RM614
• Bundle 2: Redmi Note 4G + 10400 mAh Mi Power Bank - RM625
• Bundle 3: Redmi Note 4G + 16000 mAh Mi Power Bank - RM668

If you were waiting for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G variant, mark your calendars as Xiaomi Malaysia just announced that the device would be available for sale in the country from 11 December 2014. The news comes almost three weeks after Xiaomi announced the device back in Singapore. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G supports 4G TDD-LTE network unlike the regular 3G version. However, this isn't the only difference between the two devices. For example, the regular Redmi Note runs on a Mediatek processor unlike this variant which features a Snapdragon 400 Quad Core processor. The battery is smaller on the 4G version, 3100 mAh instead of 3200 mAh capacity and it weighs 10 grams less too. Also, the new device is expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD as opposed to 32GB on the Note 3G. Xiaomi has also removed the dual sim card slots in the 4G model. Other than these, tech specs and design are the same. You have a 8GB internal storage, 5.5inch IPS 720p display, 13MP  f/2.2 rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The Redmi Note 4G will be available to purchase for a retail price of RM589. Meanwhile, check out the detailed comparison between both the devices using our tech spec comparison tool.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G is finally here in Malaysia. Featuring tech specs that include a 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, a 5.5-inch display and 4G LTE support, the phablet is going for RM589. Other tech specs remain the same with a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and a 3100 mAh battery. The only differences are the 4G LTE enabling processor, no dual-SIM support and of course the price tag, with the original 3G only Redmi Note retailing for RM509. In line with the release, Xiaomi Malaysia are offering a Redmi Note 4G Pop Quiz from 17 November 2014 to 1 December 2014 to win a new Redmi Note 4G smartphone. It also looks like the original Redmi Note is no longer on sale, at least at the Xiaomi Malaysia site.

While the Xiaomi Redmi Note already offers fairly impressive tech specs, it seems that it may be getting a new phablet sibling soon, with tech specs and features that could eclipse the original Redmi Note completely. These tech specs include a 2.2GHZ octa-core MediaTek MT6595 processor, 3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB storage, 5.5-inch display, 20.7MP rear camera, 8MP front camera and 3500 mAh battery. Other notable features include rapid charging and an AnTuTu benchmark score of 47233 which is quite high indeed. No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing or even if it will be called the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2. However, it is estimated that the pricing will begin from $165 (RM536) for the 16GB version.

In conjunction with the fourth anniversary of their MIUI user interface, Xiaomi Malaysia are offering free rebates and coupons for a special sale on 16 September 2014. According to the teaser image, more than RM1.4 million worth of rebates will be made available to Mi Fans along with an Mi 4 smartphone (3G only) for one lucky Mi Fan. Coupons will include an RM25 coupon for any Xiaomi phone, RM10 coupon for any Xiaomi accessory and RM5 coupon for any Xiaomi accessory. To get these coupons, Mi Fans will have to like the Xiaomi Malaysia Facebook page, enabling a profile rating or Mi Star on the Xiaomi site. Share this link on your Facebook wall to get entered into the Mi 4 lucky draw. The sale tomorrow will offer the Xiaomi 5200 mAh Mi Power Bank, 10400 mAh Mi Power Bank, Mi 3, Redmi 1S, Redmi Note and various Redmi 1S bundles so head on over to the Xiaomi Malaysia site.