Xiaomi introduces smart air purifier as it expands its line of home devices

Smartphone vendor Xiaomi announced today it will release a home air purifier that monitors pollution and bursts out clean air.

According to an administrator’s post on the MIUI forums, owners of the Mi Air Purifier can control the purifier’s fan speed and check air quality through a mobile app. It also notifies users when the internal fan needs to be replaced. Xiaomi claims that the device can fill a room with 406 cubic meters of clean air per hour, and that it can remove 99.9 percent of PM2.5 particles.

The machine’s base is roughly the size of an A4 (8.5”x11”) sheet of paper, and judging by the photos released, it looks skinnier and taller than other air filters on the market.

Check out the video below for some sexy air purifier close ups:

The Mi Air Purifier will retail for RMB 899 (about US$150), and replacement filters will cost RMB 150 (about US$25). We’ve reached out to Xiaomi to ask about domestic and international release dates.

Xiaomi’s air purifier is just one of many devices the company is releasing in order to expand beyond its flagship smartphones and tablets. The company recently launched a line of living room gadgets, a blood pressure monitor, and a wristband activity tracker. It also invested US$40 million in headphone maker Misfit.

There are many reasons that could explain Xiaomi’s mad dash into accessories. Luring its smartphone owners into purchasing its other gadgets helps create ecosystem lock-in, ensuring that users stick around for the next iteration of its flagship device. It also helps keeps competitors at bay. Nearly all of China’s web giants are betting on the internet of things in some capacity. Just one month ago, Kingsoft spin-off Cheetah Mobile unveiled a smart air filter.

See: Xiaomi Mi Band: at just $13, all is forgiven (REVIEW)