After its EV, Xiaomi announces a Budget 1080p Projector with a $112 Price Tag

Xiaomi’s knack for building virtually every conceivable gadget under the sun – from smartphones to electric vehicles – shows no signs of slowing down. Just last week, they made waves with the announcement of their SU7 electric car, and now they’re aiming to transform our living rooms with the Xming Q3 Neo projector (not to be confused with Realme’s Q3 phone or their Neo TWS earbuds). This latest offering from Xiaomi, in collaboration with Xming, is designed to bring a premium home cinema experience at an astonishingly affordable price of 799 yuan (approximately $112).

Designers: Xiaomi & Xming

The Xming Q3 Neo projector, equipped with an advanced LCD projection system named Photon X, promises to enhance image quality while tackling common issues like light leakage and dust accumulation. It boasts a native 1080p resolution, 230 ANSI lumens brightness, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, ensuring that visuals are not just sharp but also vivid and detailed.

Xiaomi’s ecosystem integration shines here, as the Q3 Neo seamlessly connects with its Mi Home IoT ecosystem, effectively becoming a smart home hub. This connectivity allows users to easily control various smart home devices directly through the projector. Additionally, the projector doesn’t skimp on audio, featuring a dual 3W speaker system for an immersive audio experience.

On the connectivity front, the Q3 Neo supports Wi-Fi 6 for a stable and fast internet connection and Bluetooth 5.0 for compatibility with various devices. Even for its budget, it comes equipped with features like automatic keystone correction, autofocus, auto image obstacle avoidance, and auto screen alignment, all contributing to a hassle-free setup experience.

The projector runs on the upgraded FengOS 3.0, offering access to over 100,000 content sources. It includes a TikTok-inspired algorithm for personalized recommendations, a new sports channel for live events, and a variety of other content genres, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Given Xiaomi’s product track record, who knows what they’ll announce next… maybe a Xiaomi-branded popcorn machine to go with the projector??

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Xiaomi SU7 Steals the Spotlight in EV Market amid dwindling ‘Apple Car’ Rumors

It seems like Apple just needs to hint at building something and the tech world practically coalesces towards realizing that vision. Apple had to merely hire YSL’s former boss to create rumors around a fashion-focused wearable and Samsung scrambled to launch their Galaxy Watch. The company hinted at AR/VR being their future and Facebook literally rebranded to Meta to bet on that vision. Now, after years of Apple Car ‘leaks and rumors’, Xiaomi is beating the Cupertino giant to the punch by announcing the SU7, their first EV.

Designer: Xiaomi

The SU7 hasn’t formally been announced by Xiaomi yet, but images of the car were released to the public by China’s government regulatory agency, accompanied by various technical details of the car’s design and capabilities. This move shouldn’t come as a surprise to keen-eyed folk in the tech world, given that Xiaomi’s actually made electric scooters in the past under its Mijia sub-brand. In fact, it’s been Xiaomi’s endeavor to make practically every product possible, given that their name means ‘little rice’, a call-back to a Buddhist concept of starting small and working your way up to the top.

The recently unveiled SU7 is shaping up to be a formidable entrant in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Although Xiaomi is the brand behind this vehicle, the actual manufacturing will be done by Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. (BAIC), a state-owned enterprise in China. This collaboration is a strategic step for Xiaomi, venturing into new territory while leveraging BAIC’s manufacturing expertise.

Design-wise, the SU7 is positioned to compete with the likes of the Tesla Model S, featuring a 118″ wheelbase and a fastback roofline, though with a faux-hatch trunk. Its overall length is comparable to the Model S, falling short by less than 30mm, aiming to appeal to the Chinese market’s preference for long-wheelbase luxury sedans​.

The SU7 will be available in multiple variants, including a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version producing around 295 hp and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version with an impressive 663 hp. The vehicles differ in weight and battery technology, with the premium model featuring a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, contrasting with the more affordable variant’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The high-end model is also expected to have a 100kWh battery and an 800-Volt architecture. In addition, some models will sport a conspicuous lidar array on the roof, indicating advanced driver assistance and potential autonomy features​.

Xiaomi’s ambition with the SU7 extends beyond just manufacturing a luxury EV. The car is expected to feature Xiaomi-developed in-car software, potentially integrating with its vast ecosystem of gadgets and services. However, the extent of this integration and whether it will be globally applicable or mainly focused on the Chinese market remains to be seen.

Oddly enough, Xiaomi isn’t the first tech company to foray into the EV space. Back in 2020, Sony turned heads by revealing the Mission S, its first automotive concept with self-driving features. While the Mission S, as impressive as it was, was intended to just be a proof of concept, Xiaomi’s SU7 EV will actually see the light of day, following approval from the Chinese government regulatory agency. As for the car’s global availability, it’s uncertain if Xiaomi plans to market the SU7 outside China. The brand has a substantial presence in Asia and Europe, particularly in the value segment, which might not align with the luxury EV market. However, the SU7 could signify a shift in the broader market narrative, influencing other technology companies to explore vehicle manufacturing, especially as the global smartphone market reaches a saturation point.

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Xiaomi CyberDog 2 pushes Boston Dynamic’s Spot back to make idea of robot pets closer than ever

Canine-inspired quadrupeds, spearheaded by Boston Dynamics back in 2005, have not really reached homes to be petted but that isn’t stopping manufacturers from spending billions in developing robo-dogs more capable and intelligent.

Latest such creation, boldly stepping into the limelight, wagging its mechanical tail with conviction, is the CyberDog 2. This quadruped wonder is the brainchild of Xiaomi, and it’s not your average robo-pooch now; it has undergone a transformative makeover since the first iteration of the CyberDog.

Designer: Xiaomi

The original Xiaomi CyberDog was inspired by Boston Dynamics’ Spot, but Xiaomi doesn’t want to stand content with mere imitation. The CyberDog 2 emerges with a distinct identity, shedding its initial homage to embrace a more lifelike, canine charm. For this, the robotic stiffness of the CyberDog is replaced with a redesigned body, reminiscent of a Doberman dog, complete with adorable ears framing its head to create the CyberDog 2.

At just 8.9 kg and 36.7 cm tall, the CyberDog 2 packs a woof in a size smaller than that of a grown-up golden retriever. Besides the compact size, what truly sets the CyberDog 2 apart, however, is its newfound agility. Thanks to Xiaomi’s ingenious micro-actuators, the CyberDog 2 gets the ability to perform complex feats like confidently balancing on one leg, giving a handshake, or executing a series of dynamic backflips with grace.

The CyberDog 2 isn’t just about physical prowess. Its intelligence is where it truly shines. Powered by NX processor and two co-processors bolstered by 8 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, the CyberDog 2 has 19 sensors that grant it the power of vision, touch, and hearing coupled with Xiaomi’s AI voice algorithm.

Powered by a built-in battery that boasts 90 minutes of activity before a quick recharge via USB-C, the CyberDog 2 is embedded with decision-making ability and AI simulation to design its behavior for a natural and lifelike persona echoing our beloved furry friends. With Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi for connectivity, the CyberDog 2 can be seamlessly controlled with a remote or a smartphone. While it is time for us to pet this guy in the West, the CyberDog 2 is going to be available soon in China starting at 12,999 yuan (approximately $1,800).

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