
Smart living made accessible: Upgrade your lifestyle with Xiaomi's latest innovations
Striking a balance between innovation and affordability, global tech brand Xiaomi continues its mission to make smart living accessible with three new products. Whether you're looking to enhance your home entertainment, simplify household chores or add a versatile portable device that doubles as a smart home controller and a reliable tool for kids and students, this trio is designed to meet those everyday needs.
To mark the launch, Xiaomi is hosting a roadshow at Waterway Point from Jun 9 to Jun 15. Visitors can try the products, catch live demos and see for themselves how smart tech can effortlessly fit into and enhance their daily routines.
A SLEEK, DYNAMIC BIG-SCREEN EXPERIENCE
When it comes to home entertainment, it's easy to get caught up in flashy TV specs. But once the novelty wears off, many buyers start to wonder – was that eye-watering price tag worth it? Are those extra pixels noticeable during everyday viewing? And do ultra-premium features make a difference?
Xiaomi believes a great viewing experience comes down to getting the essentials right. With the new Xiaomi TV A Pro 2026 Series, the brand focuses on fine-tuning those key elements – then delivers them at a fair price, making a premium home theatre experience accessible to more people.
Available in four sizes (43 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches and 75 inches), the TV offers 4K resolution – an upgrade from standard 1080p. It's powered by a QLED panel that covers up to 94 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, giving you more vibrant, true-to-life colours. HDR10+ support further enhances realism, with deeper blacks and brighter highlights that bring cinematic scenes to life.
Beyond the technical specs, Xiaomi adds thoughtful features that enhance everyday viewing. Film lovers will appreciate Filmmaker Mode, which preserves the director's intended look and feel. Sports and action fans will benefit from MEMC (motion estimation and motion compensation), which reduces motion blur. And for gamers, the dedicated Game Boost Mode bumps the refresh rate up to 120Hz – doubling the standard 60Hz for a smoother, more responsive experience.
Connectivity is seamless, too. The TV supports Xiaomi TV+, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast and Google Assistant, so streaming and screen-sharing is effortless. And thanks to features like low blue light mode, no backlight flicker and DC (direct current) dimming technology, long viewing sessions stay comfortable on the eyes.
Of course, a great picture needs great sound. The A Pro 2026 Series comes with dual high-power speakers, delivering rich, immersive audio through Dolby Audio and DTS\:X.
All this, wrapped in a sleek, slim design with an ultra-thin bezel – and starting at just S$399.
Household chores might be unavoidable, but your free time shouldn't be spent doing them. Luckily, smart solutions like the new Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S40C make it easy to keep your home clean.
This compact gadget combines powerful suction with intelligent navigation. Its 5,000Pa suction fan blower tackles everything from large particles to dander and fluff, with four cleaning modes to meet your needs. Use Silent Mode overnight so it won't disturb your rest, or switch to Turbo Mode when you need a deep clean. A built-in water tank adds mopping to the mix, with adjustable moisture levels to suit different surfaces – tiles, wood or carpet.
Worried about missed spots? No need. With advanced LDS (laser distance sensor) navigation, the S40C scans your home in 360 degrees and builds a detailed map to plan efficient, thorough cleaning routes. Side sensors help it avoid obstacles – even the moving ones, like kids or pets.
Want more control? You've got it. Use the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app to skip rooms, focus on messier areas or customise the schedule to fit your routine. You can even monitor the vacuum's progress in real time – ideal for when you're travelling or out of the house. At home, just use voice commands via Google Home or Amazon Alexa for hands-free control.
At just S$189, the online-exclusive Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S40C – available only on mi.com, Shopee and Lazada – offers one of the most affordable ways to experience the convenience of robot cleaning.
Not every smart upgrade needs to be plugged into the wall. For households looking for a versatile, portable device, the new Redmi Pad 2 is your companion.
With a generous 11-inch display and a crisp 2.5K resolution (2,560x1,600), the tablet is great for everything from smart home control to entertainment. A large 9,000mAh battery keeps it going all day, so there's no need to fret about frequent charging. Use the tablet to follow recipe videos while cooking, control your connected appliances like the washer or dryer, or turn on the aircon in the bedroom – all while bingeing your favourite show.
The Redmi Pad 2 4G is especially appealing for families, providing the convenience of dual SIM and dual 4G support for uninterrupted calling, messaging and data access – anytime, anywhere. It's also a reliable portable device for kids or students to enjoy entertainment, learning or light creative work. The large screen is easy on the eyes and the 90Hz refresh rate with DC dimming helps reduce eye strain during extended use.
Like Xiaomi's other recent releases, the Redmi Pad 2 is priced to stay accessible – starting at just S$219 for the Wi-Fi-only model and S$279 (8GB+256GB) for the 4G version. Choose from Graphite Gray or Mint Green, with an additional Lavender Purple option for the Wi-Fi version. Consumers purchasing the Redmi Pad 2 4G before Jun 17 will receive a complimentary protective cover.
Whether you're shopping for yourself or your household, stop by the Xiaomi Smart Living Roadshow and chat with the on-site team. They'll show you how to seamlessly integrate the new lineup into your daily life and kickstart your smart home journey.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
English, physics, chemistry: These tutors take O-level exams every year
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox (From left) Mr Linus Lin, Ms Ho Meng Yeng and Mr Ivan Lim pictured with their O-level certificates on Aug 5. SINGAPORE – When Mr Ivan Lim applied to work at tuition centre Keynote Learning Hub two years ago, he had an unusual job interview. 'I was asked, 'Would you mind taking the O-level exam as a private candidate?'' recalls the 38-year-old English tutor, a former international school teacher. 'It was a very strange interview question.' He is one of three tuition teachers at Keynote Learning who sit the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-level) examination every year, usually in the subjects they teach. The practice is 'strongly encouraged' at the tuition centre at Ang Mo Kio for its full-time tutors, says Mr Linus Lin , 44, co-founder and head of department for science. Mr Lin himself has sat the O-level examinations 10 times since 2015, usually taking two to four subjects each time, while Ms Ho Meng Yeng, 45, another co-founder at Keynote Learning and its head of English, has been sitting the English language O-level paper since 2013, sometimes taking literature as well. The trio are taking their O-level exams again in 2025. The centre's other four tutors are part-time staff and do not take these exams. Keynote Learning offers group tuition, online and in-person, for primary and secondary school levels in English, science, mathematics and Chinese. Fees start at $240 for four weekly lessons for primary school pupils. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump advises Ukraine's Zelensky to 'make a deal' with Russia after meeting Putin World Made-for-TV pageantry in Alaska as Trump brings Putin in from the cold Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Singapore Using nature, multi-use structures among solutions being studied to protect Singapore coastlines Life Switching careers in middle age and beyond: How these Singapore professionals did it Singapore HSA evaluating rapid urine test kits to enable faster detection of etomidate, found in Kpods Asia Move over, Labubu – Chiikawa is the new craze in Hong Kong Choosing the right kind of pen The idea to take the exams originated from Ms Ho even before Keynote Learning was launched in 2016. She and Mr Lin, whom she influenced in this regard, have been friends since the early 2000s. Ms Ho, a former Ministry of Education secondary school teacher, took the English and literature O-level exams in 2013 because she wanted to be 'really in touch' with the syllabus changes that year. She was working as a private tutor by then, and was not briefed by education authorities on the changes, unlike school teachers. After 12 years of taking O-level papers and having had the jitters while waiting for the oral exam, she knows how to advise her own students, some of whom have told her they 'blank out' during the exam, or get palpitations when they feel anxious. She guides them on how to stay calm during the oral exam, by teaching them square breathing, also known as box breathing. This deep-breathing relaxation technique involves inhaling, holding one's breath and exhaling for equal counts, typically for four seconds each time. Ms Ho Meng Yeng, a former Ministry of Education secondary school teacher, took the English and literature O-level exams in 2013 because she wanted to be 'really in touch' with the syllabus changes that year. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG She has views on the type of pen to use because 'handwriting matters'. She recommends using a pen with a fine 0.38mm nib for English Paper 2 – all the better to cram more words in the space provided in the exam booklet – and a 0.5mm ballpoint pen that flows well for the masses of writing required in Paper 1. Going into battle together Mainly, the tutors say they take the O-level exams repeatedly to empathise more fully with their charges. Working through 10-year series, compilations of national examination papers like the O- and A-levels, pales in comparison to the 'live action' of the exam hall. Mr Lin, who has been a tuition teacher since his 20s, says: 'I experience the change in the way the questions are designed and phrased over the years. The 10-year series is helpful but the difference is doing it at your own pace and taking the exam under time pressure. I can understand what my students are going through.' 'After the exam is over, it's easier to discuss the paper and how we have done. I can tell lots of stories afterwards and remind them not to make mistakes. It's also useful to teach them about handling anxiety and time management,' he says, describing himself and his students as 'war mates'. Mr Lim, who took the English paper in 2023 and 2024, adds: 'The first time I took the O-level paper was an eye-opener. I thought, 'Most educators are war theorists.'' His right hand ached badly after the writing-heavy Paper 1 in the first English language exam he took, which features Situational Writing and Continuous Writing. Mr Ivan Lim took the English paper in 2023 and 2024. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG After decades out of school, he was asked to respond to a statement like 'All you need to succeed in life is a positive attitude'. Mr Lim realised then that the O levels are 'quite demanding in terms of students' maturity'. 'I doubt I was so introspective at 16,' he reflects. The grades a tuition teacher gets The three tutors' result certificates, seen by The Straits Times, are a sea of A grades, mostly A1s (75 per cent and higher), followed by A2s (70 to 74 per cent). Their grades dip, sometimes drastically, when they embark on what they call 'experiments' and 'challenges'. For instance, in 2020, Ms Ho decided to 'leave all the difficult questions blank', resulting in a C6 grade, which ranges from 50 to 54 per cent. 'It was like a wake-up call for the very weak students at the beginning of the following year,' she says. Mr Lin has tackled different self-imposed 'challenges' in the 10 years he has taken the exams, often in response to students' questions. In 2016, he took the English paper in addition to the two subjects he teaches, physics and chemistry. 'In science, we need to have a good command of English to express our answers well. English was my worst subject in school. I hope it can be a message to my students that as long as you're willing to continue to improve, you can still achieve,' says Mr Lin, who got an A2 that year for English. His worst English grade as a student was C6. Mr Linus Lin once took a combined social studies and history paper to see what it was like, since social studies did not exist as an O-level subject when he was young. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG In 2020, besides English, physics and chemistry, he took the biology O-level exam, a subject he had never studied in school, because his students often ask him if physics or biology is 'easier'. (He found the latter easier to score well in.) While he usually does not study for the exams since he teaches the subjects, he spent several days mugging for the biology paper, for which he got a B3. He once took a combined social studies and history paper to see what it was like, since social studies did not exist as an O-level subject when he was young. The O-level examination fees for private candidates differ according to subject and citizenship. For example, Singapore citizens pay $105 each for subjects such as English and chemistry, and $100 for a humanities subject like combined social studies and history. While Keynote Learning foots the bill for the subjects the tutors teach and take exams in, Mr Lin paid his own fees for subjects he does not teach, like English and humanities. Mr Lin, who has been mistaken for an invigilator during one of his papers, says: 'Every time I take the exams, I feel happy because it's like I am 16 again.'


Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Singapore's $100 Billion Club: DBS and SEA lead the market cap race — who deserves the lion's share?
Singapore: The nation's corporate landscape has just crossed a new milestone, with two homegrown giants now valued at over $100 billion each, according to the latest list from Companies Market Cap. Topping the list is DBS Group, now boasting a market capitalisation of $141.71 billion. Much of the bank's remarkable growth took place under the leadership of former CEO Piyush Gupta, who served from 2009-2025. In 2009, DBS was in dire need of a strategic overhaul. The bank was still recovering from the global financial crisis and had a reputation for being bureaucratic and risk-averse. Gupta's tenure transformed DBS from a regional banking heavyweight into a global name in digital finance. Under his watch, the bank aggressively expanded, attracting investors for high-growth markets. Just behind DBS is SEA Limited, with a market cap of $132.19 billion. Best known as the parent company of Shopee — the e-commerce platform that has become a staple in Southeast Asia and Garena —the gaming division behind hits like Call Of Duty Mobile , SEA has become one of Singapore's most recognisable tech success stories. Helmed by Forrest Li, SEA has expanded far beyond online shopping and gaming. Li is also an influential figure in Singapore's football scene, owning Lion City Sailors FC and being named as the President of The Football Association of Singapore. Is crossing the $100 billion mark just a symbolic achievement? Many critics have argued that they rarely see the money trickling down to the grassroots level, and a large portion gets funnelled out for investments in foreign economies; however, the milestone signals that Singapore is home to companies that can compete and dominate on the global stage. Together, they represent two sides of Singaporean 'Innovation' — the stability of established finance and the dynamism of digital disruption in a nation where physical retail rental prices are rapidly increasing. Singapore's business ecosystem continues to punch above its weight, but many Singaporeans are asking — at what cost and who really benefits? Singaporean's have long been lauded as the most talented in the developed world, putting in work hours much higher than the global average. See also UOB economist: GST hike may set in by July 1 Are Singaporean companies achieving a global presence as a result of visionary leaders who rake in the fame and large salaries, or hard-working Singaporeans who are facing rapidly rising costs of living with wages barely keeping up? As these companies grow, their influence extends beyond market charts. DBS shapes the way millions globally manage their money, and SEA transforms how people shop, play, and connect both online and in-person.

Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pan Pac, Parkroyal owner UOL makes first move into student housing
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Data also showed that applications for British study visas by international students rose in the first quarter of 2025. SINGAPORE – The real estate company that owns Pan Pacific and Parkroyal hotels has made its first move into student housing, expanding its business beyond hospitality, residential and commercial properties. Singapore-listed UOL Group on Aug 14 said it had made successful inroads into Britain's student accommodation sector with the acquisition of Varley Park in Brighton for £43.5 million (S$75.6 million). The 22-block complex is located on more than 2.8ha of land, or the size of four football fields, and comprises 771 student beds. It includes an amenity block with modern conferencing facilities and a dining hall. The property will be leased back to the University of Brighton under an agreement that ensures steady rental income. UOL chief executive Liam Wee Sin said demand for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA), or lodging equipped with amenities and services catered to students' needs, is rising in Britain as more are now able to afford better facilities. Data also showed that applications for British study visas by international students rose in the first quarter of 2025. 'We see strong potential in the PBSA segment as it is a resilient asset class with strong fundamentals and provides opportunities for us to grow the portfolio in key markets,' he said, adding that the group could leverage its hospitality and residential development expertise to expand into the broader living sector. The purchase will be funded through a mix of internal resources and external borrowings, in line with UOL's strategy to diversify and strengthen its recurring income base. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World No peace deal, but 'great progress' made in meeting with Putin over Ukraine war: Trump World Made-for-TV pageantry in Alaska as Trump brings Putin in from the cold Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Singapore Using nature, multi-use structures among solutions being studied to protect Singapore coastlines Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore HSA evaluating rapid urine test kits to enable faster detection of etomidate, found in Kpods Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency UOL is not the first company on the Singapore Exchange eyeing growth opportunities in the PBSA market. Accommodation provider Centurion Corp in July launched a new PBSA brand, Epiisod, in Sydney, marking its second student housing property in Australia. It already runs eight such properties in Britain. The assets, expected to deliver steady rental returns, will eventually be spun off into a real estate investment trust that Centurion expects to launch in late 2025. The other company operating PBSA assets is Wee Hur. The company has eight such properties in Australia, where a cap on foreign students will be raised by 9 per cent to 295,000 in 2026, the government said on Aug 4. A limit on places were announced last year as a way to rein in record migration that had contributed to a surge in housing prices, but the cap is now being tweaked after the policy successfully curtailed growth in the number of international student numbers in Australia. For UOL, the Varley Park deal will also be its fourth property in Britain after Pan Pacific London, and mixed-use properties 120 Holborn Island and 110 High Holborn. The company on Aug 14 reported a 58 per cent rise in net profit to $205.5 million for the first half of 2025, on the back of strong performances from property development and investments.