This week’s Smart Living roundup features a smart air purifier to address China’s crisis-level smog problem, a home entertainment company’s push to delay its initial public offering (IPO), and the world’s smartest connected bike system.

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Xiaomi’s Mi Air Purifier

Earlier this year the World Health Organization described China’s smog as an environmental crisis, as levels of the smallest, most dangerous pollution particles were more than 20 times the internationally recognised safe limit. The smog in China is so bad that it has now affected fashion trends and tourism, not to mention its detrimental effect on people’s health.

To give people in China a breather, Xiaomi, Inc., a leading smartphone distributor, introduced the Mi Air Purifier. What makes this air purifier unique is that you can use your smartphone as a remote control to turn it on or off, control the fan speed, and get pollution readings from the appliance.

Users will also receive notifications via the app if the Mi filter needs to be replaced or if the internal fans need to be changed. Other features of the Mi Air Purifier include a real-time air quality monitor, auto speed control, a dual fan and four air ducts to produce 10,000 litres of clean air per minute. The Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier will cost $150 and will be available in China starting December 16. No news yet if the company plans on releasing the air purifier in other markets.

Sonos sells off $130M in equity to delay IPO

While some startups seem to rush into the public trading sector, Sonos, Inc., a company that has been in the smart home audio business since 2002, is doing its best to delay an IPO. In a move to stave off its initial public offering, Sonos did a secondary sale to give its employees and investors the chance to cash out by selling equity. Previous reports first reported that the company has raised $130 million in a round of funding, but clarification came swiftly from Sonos.

“The funding is just a secondary round strictly raised as a part of our ongoing liquidity program for employees, not a new round of capital,” Sonos said in a statement.

Sonos speakers support wireless music streaming from one’s own library, Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, Deezer, Sirius XM, SoundCloud, and Google Music, and also allows people to control music using their mobile devices.

Smart bike, connected system

A new project launched on Kickstarter, Inc. aims to turn any old bike into a smart one and make every ride more fun and rewarding. Created by iCradle, Inc., COBI features a hub, mount case, signature light, styling kit, and app.

COBI delivers both hardware and software features such as smartphone integration to call friends, listen to music, check the weather, find the best routes and get turn-by-turn navigation. The Thumb Control allows you to manage the smart bike system without taking one’s eyes off the road, while the lights offer safety for riders. COBI also has built-in security features and fitness trackers to chart one’s heart rate, cadence, and calories burned.

COBI has surpassed its $100,000 funding goal with 23 days to go.

photo credit: erhard.renz via photopin cc