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China's #7 phone OEM snags Android VP for global push

Hugo Barra joins Xiaomi for new challenges

China's #7 phone OEM snags Android VP for global push
Google's VP in charge of Android product management Hugo Barra announced that he will be leaving the US-based company to join with Chinese cellphone maker Xiaomi.

Although Xiaomi is known within the PRC - commanding a larger piece of the smartphone market than Android archrival Apple does - it's a brand that relatively few outside of China have heard of.

Barra's appointment to the role of Vice President, Xiaomi Global is a move to change that oversight as Xiaomi looks to expand outside of its home country.

Still an Android fan

While Xiaomi prepares to compete globally with Samsung and Apple, Barra notes that he's 'particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem'.

Xiaomi has found success in China by manufacturing inexpensive handsets that run Google's Android OS.

While Apple sells the iPhone 5 on its China website from 5,288 Yuan (~$864), Xiaomi's flagship Xiaomi Phone 2S retails for ¥1,999 (~$320) or ¥2,299 (~$375) based on storage.

At time of writing, Google has not named a replacement for Hugo Barra.

[source: Hugo Barra, Google+]

US Correspondent

Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.