Fast-rising Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi continues to diversify its product line – and efforts in the Internet of Things space – with the launch of its $150 Mi Air Purifier.

Through a remote control app on a smartphone, users will receive pollution readings from the appliance, and be able to control its fan speed. They will also get notifications such as when a replacement filter is needed or the internal fan needs to be changed.

Other features of the purifier include a real-time air quality monitor and auto speed control as well as a dual fan and four air ducts which allow it to produce 10,000 litres of clean air per minute.

The appliance is only out in pollution-affected China for now and there is no word on a global release. It can be pre-ordered and will be available from December 16.

Earlier this year Xiaomi beta-tested four smart home gadgets – a webcam, lightbulb, power plug and remote control centre. It has also launched a blood pressure monitor and a WiFi router.

Its expansion outside of creating smartphones also includes a $13 fitness and sleep tracker launched in August and an investment in US-based wearables firm Misfit.

Xiaomi is not the only company looking to tap into the connected homes market. Earlier this year Samsung purchased SmartThings – a US-based developer of a home automation platform – for a reported $200 million. Samsung more recently announced a beta release of the Smart Home SDK, which will let users control appliances via their Samsung Smart TV or smartphone.

What’s more, Samsung predicts there will be about 45 million installed smart home services globally by 2018, with the smart home market worth about $100 billion by that period.

It is no wonder then that Google paid $3.2 billion for Nest, the US firm that wirelessly enables household items such as thermostats and smoke alarms, earlier this year.