Xiaomi goes into smart air-conditioning… again

Xiaomi recently announced that it aims to save us from the high temperatures with a new air-conditioner. The AC unit—made in cooperation with Chinese electric appliance manufacturer Changhong (长虹)—just passed the national quality certification test (in Chinese).

This is the second time Xiaomi has made a foray into air conditioning, the first being marked by controversy. In 2015, Xiaomi teamed up with electrical appliance manufacturer Midea Group (美的) to create a smart AC unit. The cooperation came after Xiaomi bought shares worth RMB 1.26 billion in Midea, hoping to tap the smart appliances market. The move drew ire from Dong Mingzhu, president of Gree (格力), Midea’s main competitor, who berated the duo, saying that the “two swindlers working together make it into a fraud group.”

Xiaomi’s and Midea’s i-Youth Smart Air Conditioner met with a mediocre response from consumers despite the unit’s ability to interact with Xiaomi’s smart devices, including Xiaomi’s smartphones, fitness bracelets, and the Mi Home Smart Kit.

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