Xiaomi Mijia Smart Socket 3 for smart home now available for around US$9

Xiaomi has launched the Mijia Smart Socket 3 in China. The plug allows you to turn your regular household products into smart home devices; for instance, you could use the gadget with kettles, heaters or lamps. However, you can only use the socket with devices which require a maximum current of 10 A.

Using the smart plug, you can remotely control your chosen device through the Mijia app, turning it on or off or setting this to happen at a specific time. You can also use the app to view real-time power consumption information and trends over time. Alternatively, you can use the Mijia gadget to control your desired product with Xiao AI voice commands. Plus, you can use the plug to link devices; for example, you could use the socket with a regular lamp, triggering it to be turned on when you unlock your smart front door.

Safety features of the gadget include protection against overheating or overloading and a child lock. The smart plug is available in white, measuring 52 x 50 x 57.6 mm (~2.05 x 1.97 x 2.27-in) and weighs 68 g. You can connect to the product via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and control the device with smartphones running Android 4.4 or iOS 9.0 and above. You can buy the Xiaomi Mijia Smart Socket 3 in China for 59 yuan (~US$8.61). It is unclear whether Xiaomi intends to launch this product in other markets.

Buy the Amazon Smart Plug on Amazon