Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control Review: THIS is truly smart

tech.hindustantimes.com:

Let's be honest – smart speakers are not exactly smart. Pick up any smart speaker you can buy today and the only thing they are good for is playing your Spotify playlist, or a quick news readout; that is how I have seen these speakers being used in most Indian households. At most, you will see some having those fancy Wi-Fi LED bulbs or a smart TV being controlled by these speakers but that's it! “I wish my smart speaker could turn off the AC in the middle of the night with my voice, or turn off the fan, or control my flatscreen TV,” – these are the common wishes I hear from Indian homemakers. Big problem, big opportunity, and there's Xiaomi.

After launching one Google Assistant-equipped smart speaker in 2020, Xiaomi is back with a new model and one unique trick up its sleeves – controlling non-smart devices. Most smart speakers can only control devices that are connected to your home Wi-Fi; the Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control can control those that lack that Wi-Fi chip.If your appliance has an Infrared or IR sensor, this speaker can command it. Brilliant, right? And at Rs. 4,999, it is pocket-friendly too.

Should you buy one though?

The Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control has a very simple and monotonous design – small curvy box-like shape with drilled holes, all done in dull matte plastic. You have your playback and volume key controls on the top. And there's a small status LED light that takes cues from the Apple HomePod Mini status light – it glows in a myriad of colours when the Google Assistant is invoked. You also have an LED clock on its face, which is useful in modern household slacking wall clocks.

As with all smart speakers, you need to plug it into a socket and wait for the voice instructions. Open the Google Home app