Feature Articles

The Complete Guide to Xiaomi's MIUI V5 OS

By Sidney Wong - 11 Mar 2014

MIUI V5 - Messaging

Overview

Xiaomi claims that its MIUI OS is so customizable that it redefines Android to a whole new level. In this article, we shall explore the extent of customization and control given to MIUI users. 

We've discussed the top five features of MIUI V5 in our review of the Xiaomi Redmi, so for this article, we shall talk about the other aspects of the OS such as customizations done in the department of messaging, security and other miscellaneous features that we think you would love to know.

 

Messaging
 

1. Pin Important Messages to the Top

Some text messages are more important than the others and you might have been hoping for a way to 'stick' the messages to the top of your lot. MIUI allows you to pin such important messages so that they will always be the first ones you will see when you access the Messaging app. This is great if you have messages that require your action or attention which might otherwise get drowned in the sea of text messages most of us deal with daily. Here's how you pin such messages:-

The normal inbox arranges text messages in chronological order. Long press on a particular contact or message thread to pin it. An orange bookmark will appear on the top right corner to indicate pinned messages.

 

2. Private Messaging

Surely there are times when you have to lend your phone briefly to friends and family , but you would also much rather have the ability to 'lock away' certain messages for privacy reasons. Xiaomi has got you covered here if all you need is to hide text messages that you don't want them seen in your main Messaging app. You can select phone numbers or contacts to be included in a special Private Messaging section, where the content is password-protected. You also have the choice not to password protect the content if you just need them out of the main listing view and not have another access layer.

The private message folder can be accessed by pulling down the main messages listing page. You have the option to password protect the private messages and select which numbers or contacts to be included in it.

 

3. Quick Contacts List for Messaging

MIUI makes it convenient for you to message frequently contacted individuals by collating a list of top six contacts when you are composing a new message. While it may not be to your advantage all the time, it's a nifty little time saver when it works out.

If you often message a select set of people more than others, this quick contact list can be handy when composting new messages. Having said that, you might want to make sure your spouse is on the list though.

 

4. Personalizing Group Messages - Nicknames to Individuals

When we send group messages, we typically use generic greetings like "hey there" or 'hello". This may seem impersonal at times. MIUI allows you to give nicknames to individual contacts in the Messaging app. After setting nicknames, the messaging app can send personalized broadcast messages.

Personalize your group messages by giving nicknames to individual contacts.

 

5. Timed Messaging

Instead of setting reminders to send out messages, MIUI enables you to preset a text message to be sent out at a certain date and time (hour and minute). This is extremely handy when you need to ensure important messaging gets to the right people at the right time.

You can set a timer for messages to be sent out.

 

6. MiTalk

MIUI has a built-in messaging app called MiTalk where users can send free messages to one another via Wi-Fi, 3G or GPRS. MiTalk currently supports English and Chinese (simplified and traditional).

Like many instant messaging apps, MiTalk supports voice messaging, emoticons, photos and location share. Beyond its messaging functions, MiTalk actually has some features of a social network. You can check out profile pictures of your contacts and see their latest posts on the their Walls.

MiTalk is available for free on multiple platforms such as Symbian S60 (Chinese version only), Android (English and Chinese), Windows Phone (English and Chinese), Windows 8 (English and Chinese), and Apple iPhone (English and Chinese).

You can send messages to other MiTalk users via Wi-Fi, 3G or GPRS.

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