With Xiaomi Deal, Midea Bets on Smarter Future

(Beijing) – Thanks to a partnership linking an unlikely pair of manufacturers, a Chinese consumer can now control his or her air conditioner by simply tapping a smartphone.

Systems that use smartphone applications to control air conditioners – which in China are commonly used for wintertime heating as well as summertime cooling – went on sale in April through a tie-up between appliance manufacturer Midea Group Co. and smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc.