Xiaomi launch event: here comes MIUI 7, Redmi Note 2, and more [LIVE BLOG]

Xiaomi’s customary summer launch event – its fifth ever – just kicked off in Beijing. Here’s our live blog. New updates appear at the bottom (please refresh page every few minutes):

#14:19: The event’s starting with the software side. MIUI 7, which is based on Android 5.0, gets a so-called “Goddess” (女神) mode for women that makes it easier to apply themes combined with wallpapers and screensavers. Yes, they’re pink.

#14:23: The “Goddess” mode ties in nicely with the special pink Xiaomi Mi Note phone that’s already launched.

#14:25: This isn’t just for goddesses – there’ll be four thematic versions of MIUI 7, including one for men that’s geared to be more blue. Because binary gender options.

#14:29: MIUI has always had easy theming, so this is an extension of all that.

#14:35: Since August 2010 when MIUI first came out (a year before the first Xiaomi Mi1 phone), it has gone through 249 versions. There are now 150 million MIUI users worldwide in 156 countries/territories.

#14:42: MIUI 7 is getting more accessibility options, such as really large type.

Redmi Note 2