5 Useful Xiaomi Smart Home Devices

The brainchild of Xiaomi occupies the position of one of the most affordable models on the market with support for simultaneous operation in two frequency bands.

The device creates two wireless networks at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz, which provide connection speeds of up to 300 and 867 Mbit/s, respectively. Two antennas of about 17 cm in length are provided for each frequency range . Thanks to them, the signal effectively penetrates through the walls and finishes off to all corners of the apartment. Network ports (1 WAN and 2 LAN) are 100-megabit, so you can achieve the maximum data transfer speed only in a local network (for example, when copying files between two devices connected to the router).

The initial configuration of the model is best done through the MiWiFi Router mobile application, since the web interface of the router configuration is thoroughly saturated with Chinese characters. It is much easier to change the settings from a smartphone or tablet — English is more understandable to the masses, and the client himself is very friendly towards users.

The router is designed for horizontal installation on flat surfaces. Holes for attaching the model to the wall in the design are simply not provided. The number of interface ports of Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router includes a USB port, the functionality of which is limited by the ability to connect drives (USB flash drive or external HDD). In general, the model deserves to be noticed. After all, the capabilities provided by it fully correspond to the affordable price tag of the router.

Xiaomi MiJia Kettle smart kettle combines the functions of a thermopot — it not only boils water, but also maintains its temperature for a long period of time (from 1 to 12 hours). Moreover, the water temperature value can be set manually — the user has a choice in the range from 40 to 90 °C in increments of 10 °C.

It is possible to set the desired degree of water temperature maintenance in the connected application of the Mi Home smart home ecosystem. But it is impossible to start the kettle remotely from a smartphone — boiling and hot water support are triggered only by pressing the touch control keys, which are hidden on the bend of the inner side of the handle of the device.

The outer side of the model is made of white matte plastic, and the inner flask with a volume of about 1.5 liters is made of steel, respectively, the kettle does not have any external water level sensor. Steel is also the inside of the lid. The white colour of the case is slightly diluted with a black contact pad on the stand. In the insides of the last element there is a compartment for winding excess power cord.

Initially, the kettle is focused on the Chinese market, so the inscriptions on its buttons are made in the form of hieroglyphs. Similar symbols are found from time to time in the smartphone application. But to a greater extent, English prevails in the interface of the programme for controlling the kettle. In conjunction with intuitive icons, it will not be difficult to switch between the few menu items of the application.

The video surveillance system is an integral part of the concept of a "smart" home. The Xiaomi MiJia Smart Home 360 camera integrates into it via a wireless Wi-Fi network, after which it becomes possible to observe everything that happens in the room with its help.

The futuristic appearance of the "smart" gadget resembles a kind of tumbler doll in a bright white robe. A large eye is built into the head of the device, which rotates horizontally without restrictions and raises its gaze vertically within 85 °. The front lens of the camera object is coated with a special coating that provides resistance to scratches and temperature changes, as well as having excellent anti-glare properties.

The camera writes video in FullHD format with a frequency of 30 fps directly to a microSD memory card (with a capacity of up to 32 GB). You can also view recordings and images in real time from your smartphone. Moreover, in some cases (for example, when the motion sensor is triggered), the captured video fragment is sent to the mobile phone automatically, notifying the owner of the device about the presence of strangers in the room. The visibility of the image at night is provided by the built-in infrared illumination. There are practically no claims to the image quality at any time of the day.

The presence of a speaker and microphone allows you to organize two-way audio and one-way video communication with the camera. The microphone performs other functions, for example, with its help the camera is able to respond to voice commands. You can even ask her about the weather or find out the latest news, but for this you will have to learn Chinese — Xiaomi MiJia Smart Home 360 does not understand other languages.

The camera is paired with a smartphone and its parameters are controlled via the Mi Home application. It will not be difficult to understand it even for people who are far from close communication with technology. Well, for those who personally create an ecosystem of a "smart" home, a proprietary application will even more seem simple and intuitive.

The second generation of the device for air purification from the Chinese company Xiaomi has decreased in size by about one and a half times (from 735 mm to 520 mm in height). Nevertheless, it will still take a lot of space to install it, since it is desirable to leave at least 10-20 cm of free space on the sides of the device to ensure unhindered air intake by the device.

The principle of operation of the cleaner is very simple: through special perforated holes on the front panel and on the sides of the housing, dirty air is drawn inside and enters the air filter. At the end of the cleaning procedure, the air is ejected back into the room by means of a fan at the top of the device. At the filtration stage, odours are removed from the air and pollutants of the order of 2.5 microns (fine dust) are cut off.

The degree of indoor air pollution is indicated by the indicator light on the front panel of the cleaner. If it glows red, then the pollution level is high, and if it is green, then everything is fine. Specific figures can be found in the linked application, which also indicates the degree of wear of the filter and displays the current parameters of the microclimate in the room (temperature, humidity level, etc.). As a programme for remote control of all functions of the device, the MiHome application is used, available for download to owners of smartphones based on Android or iOS. According to the old tradition of Xiaomi, hieroglyphs sometimes slip through the interface of the linked software.

The user can choose one of three operating modes of the cleaner: automatic (the fan speed is set depending on the degree of air pollution), night (maximum quiet mode) and user (manual parameter setting). It is recommended to vacuum the device every few months, and when the air filter resource ends, it must be replaced with a new one. After all, everyone knows the fact that clean indoor air is the key to good health and well—being.

The advanced home cleaner Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner effectively handles with dirt on the floor in all corners of the room. To do this, a small robot uses a whole galaxy of various sensors.

A laser rangefinder installed in a separate turret on the back of the device helps the vacuum cleaner to navigate in space. It allows you to identify obstacles at a distance and, based on their geometry, make a map of the room. The robot always knows where it is at the moment, which parts of the room it has yet to explore and where to move if the energy reserves in the built-in battery run out. The rest of the sensors (accelerometer, compass, dust sensors, height difference, distance from walls, etc.) are involved both in improving the efficiency of cleaning and in providing the device with obstacles.

The work of the vacuum cleaner is coordinated by three processors at once, which makes it truly "smart". According to the full programme, the smart capabilities of Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner are opened in the associated Mi Home application. It provides access to the cleaning planning calendar, detailed maps of the premises where cleaning was carried out, and other useful functions. Remote control support requires compliance with only one condition — the presence of an active Wi-Fi connection.

Minor complaints from the owners of the smart device relate to the absence of a carrying handle on its body and the presence of problems with the localization of the interface in the associated application. The owners of the vacuum cleaner do not put forward any claims to the efficiency of cleaning or to the duration of the autonomous operation of the device. The more advantageous it looks against the background of similar cost competitors in the class, which can not boast of such a rich equipment and functionality.