Xiaomi Ups Ante In India, Names Former Google Analyst As Product Head In Bangalore

Beijing, China Lei Jun, founder and chief executive officer of China's mobile company Xiaomi Inc, introduces the new features of Xiaomi Phone 4 at its launching ceremony, in Beijing, July 22, 2014. July 22, 2014. Reuters/Jason Lee

Chinese mobile phone maker Xiaomi Inc. has tapped a former Google Inc. business strategist to head its product development division in Bangalore. The company's Android smartphones have been selling out in online flash sales in India, as it gears up to go after one of the world’s fastest growing smartphone markets.

Privately-held Xiaomi’s global vice president Hugo Barra said on his Google+ page: “One of the coolest things I could have wished for happened this past week ... Jai Mani has just joined the Mi India team as our lead product manager.”

According to his profile on professional networking site LinkedIn, Mani worked at Google between 2011 and 2013, where he was part of the market strategy team at Google Play, the Internet search giant’s online store.

“Android fans: you'll remember Jai from his memorable on-stage demo performances at Google I/O and Nexus launches,” Barra said in his post. Mani has relocated from San Francisco to Bangalore, he said.