Xiaomi China President Lu Weibing has asked users if they would like to see “Smart Island” functionality on the company’s handsets, similar to Apple’s implementation of the software on its latest iPhone Pro models. Dubbed the ‘Dynamic Island’, the Cupertino company’s latest handsets replace the display notch with a bullet-shaped cutout, which can expand to display notification icons or provide other information from running apps. Since the feature relies on software to display additional details around the camera cutout, the feature may eventually make its way to smartphones from other manufacturers in the future.
Over the weekend, Xiaomi China President Lu Weibing responded to the user’s comment Weibo post, asking users if they “really need a Smart Island” (translated from Chinese) on the company’s smartphone. Weibing was responding to a user who said “K60 is waiting for the universe with the blessing of Smart Island” (translated from Chinese). Xiaomi has yet to officially announce any plans to add this functionality to any of its devices, including the rumored Redmi K60.
Apple’s ‘Dynamic Island’ system, introduced on the new iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max at its ‘Far Out’ event, uses a new camera and Face ID cutout to display notifications, pop-ups and application alerts.
The company’s unique approach, however, seeks to add real functionality to the display cutout. It blends the cutout with the rest of the UI using animations that make the dynamic island appear larger and allow users to interact with it. The company also announced that this feature will eventually allow users to monitor activities directly at the top of their screen, without having to navigate between applications.
Webbing’s comment has received mixed reactions from users both for and against the display cutout.
If previous reports are to be believed, it looks like Android developers will follow suit. The fresh take on the front display notch has become one of the most copied features of the year. Accordingly gizmochina, a MIUI theme developer recently shared a Dynamic Island-style feature for Xiaomi phones. However, there is no word on whether the company is planning to implement such a feature in its upcoming handset.