Xiaomi turns a smartphone into a pocket guitar

TDT | Manama

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Xiaomi has launched one of the more unusual smartphone accessories of the year: the Pocket Guitar, a magnetic gadget that turns compatible phones into a miniature musical instrument.

Designed primarily for the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, the Pocket Guitar attaches to the back of the phone and uses the devices' secondary display as part of the playing experience. The foldable accessory has chord and controls on one side and a textured, touch-sensitive surface that simulates guitar strings on the other.

It connects to the phone through Bluetooth and works with the Chinese karaoke app Changba, which offers access to around 15,000 licensed songs. Users can choose between Chord Mode, which requires selecting chords while strumming, and Rhythm Mode, which focuses on keeping time.

The Pocket Guitar has a 630mAh battery, with Xiaomi claiming up to 80 days of use under a one-hour-per-day scenario. It can also fold into a small phone stand. The accessory costs 599 yuan (around $90) in China.

It may be a novelty, but Xiaomi is showing that a smartphone's secondary screen can become more than just a display -- it can become a platform for entirely new accessories.