Key to its success is Xiaomi’s LaserLink know-how. It is a proprietary optical communication module, obvious as a small dot on the again of the cellphone and the lens the place information is transferred as gentle (near-infrared laser) at speeds of as much as 10 Gbps. It is quick sufficient to work in live performance with Xiaomi’s AI and computational pictures on the cellphone in a approach that conventional exterior lenses can’t.
The lens has two pins that join on the again to attract energy from the cellphone, and Xiaomi says the facility draw of the lens is akin to a built-in digital camera system. It’s transportable sufficient to slide in a bag or pocket and the straightforward plug-and-play nature makes it simple to make use of. This technique may enable for an entire vary of specialist lenses for photographers, although you may have to recollect to take them with you, which negates one of many huge benefits of standard cellphone cameras.
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Contemplating the LaserLink know-how and energy switch, it looks as if this method may enable for an entire vary of different magnetic equipment past pictures. I’m eager about chargers, energy banks, and mobile game controllers (the low latency is ideal for gaming). It might additionally sooner or later allow you to attach seamlessly to different gadgets in Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem, which incorporates audio system, all kinds of sensible house devices, and even vehicles. There is not any Qi2 support within the Xiaomi 15 vary, however this new proprietary system may very well be why it was handed over.
Earlier than you get too excited, that is nonetheless only a idea with no agency launch schedule or pricing. We have seen modular telephones fail and disappoint earlier than, together with efforts from Google, LG, Motorola, and most lately HMD. However Xiaomi’s prototype was surprisingly polished, and the potential of a system like that is apparent. Extra balanced designs with out enormous digital camera modules, however the choice to rival a devoted digital camera after I must? Signal me up.
