Xiaomi air purifier part of wider smart-home strategy

Beijing's choking smog has prompted electronics giant Xiaomi Corp into its latest product launch - an air purifier that sends its users real-time pollution updates.

Industry insiders said the new gadget shows that Xiaomi is moving ever closer to creating its own smart-home division, and the Beijing-based company is now expected to announce it is joining forces with other manufacturers in building a series of next-generation household appliances.

The purifier can be remotely turned on using a smartphone, said Lei Jun, Xiaomi's chief executive.