Latest news with #MagicPortal2.0
Filipino Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
HONOR and Google Cloud Deepen Partnership to Usher in New Era of Intelligent Devices
HONOR, a global leading AI device ecosystem company, showcased its continued collaboration pushing the boundaries of innovation in intelligent devices and user interaction with Google Cloud at Cloud Next 2025 last week. Eric Fang, Senior Director of Product Planning at HONOR, articulated the company's visionary partnership with Google Cloud, has yielded many user-friendly innovations such as Magic Portal 2.0. Now, empowered by Google's cutting-edge Gemini large language models (LLMs), this collaboration is entering a new era, focused on pioneering AI features that will redefine user experiences. Eric Fang, Senior Director of Product Planning, HONOR, at a panel discussion Google Cloud Next 2025 HONOR ALPHA PLAN: Paving the Way for AI Innovation In March, HONOR unveiled its ambitious HONOR ALPHA PLAN, announcing its intention to become a leading global AI device ecosystem company. HONOR's partnership with Google Cloud is a cornerstone of the ALPHA PLAN, providing access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure and expertise that will be instrumental in developing truly intelligent smartphones augmented with next-generation AI capabilities. HONOR is committed to breaking through technological boundaries in collaboration with partners like Google Cloud to co-create a new paradigm for AI devices. This partnership represents a crucial first step in realizing the ambitions of HONOR's ALPHA PLAN. Working closely with Google Cloud, HONOR will deeply integrate more AI functions into its smartphones, enriching the diversity of its imaging capabilities. Through close collaboration, the two companies are set to continue leading the way for innovation in both on-device and cloud-based AI, with all-new AI features that are poised to generate significant buzz among consumers. AI Outpainting: Redefining Post-Processing in the AI Era During a panel discussion, Eric Fang shared insights into one of HONOR's latest AI features, AI Outpainting. This innovative feature, part of HONOR's AiMAGE suite, uses Google's Imagen model to allow users to zoom out and expand their photos up to twice their original size. Users can reframe and rotate their photos after capturing them, reducing the need for careful pre-shot framing. 'AI Outpainting is a game-changer,' commented Eric Fang. 'It allows users to focus on capturing the decisive moment without worrying about perfect framing. The optimized generative fill ensures that the expanded images are seamlessly integrated, even in complex scenes like buildings and landscapes.' AI Eraser: Effortless Photo Editing Another highlight of HONOR's collaboration with Google Cloud is the AI Eraser feature. This powerful tool allows users to easily remove unwanted objects from their photos with just a few taps. The integration of Imagen's advanced AI technology ensures that the removed areas are filled with realistic and contextually appropriate content, minimizing the occurrence of AI hallucinations. Democratizing AI Access for Users Globally HONOR's commitment to making AI accessible to everyone was a key theme during Cloud Next. By leveraging Google Cloud's powerful infrastructure and cutting-edge AI capabilities, HONOR aims to empower users globally with innovative features that enhance their everyday experiences. To this end, HONOR is committed to making flagship-level AI features available on its midrange devices wherever possible, for example with the recent launch of the HONOR 400 Lite in Europe on April 7th, which includes the AI Outpainting, AI Eraser and AI Upscale features. 'Democratizing AI is at the core of our mission,' said Eric Fang. 'We want to make advanced AI features available to everyone, unlocking the full potential of intelligent technology for a smarter future.' A Strategic Milestone in AI-Powered User Experiences HONOR's deep collaboration with Google Cloud represents a significant milestone in its unwavering dedication to delivering leading-edge technology and exceptional user experiences. Beyond the specific AI features unveiled at Google Cloud Next 2025, the partnership underscores HONOR's proactive and future-oriented approach to AI integration. By working closely with global technology leaders like Google Cloud, HONOR is reinforcing its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and providing users with intuitive, powerful, and truly intelligent devices that anticipate their needs. This collaboration is a testament to HONOR's confidence in the transformative power of AI and its strategic vision for the future of mobile technology. HONOR Teases Next-Generation Product and Productivity Features Powered by Google Cloud AI Eric Fang also teased upcoming products that will integrate even more advanced AI features, promising exciting new experiences for users. Fang announced that HONOR has collaborated deeply with Google Cloud on its upcoming new products, set to launch in May 2025. Leveraging Veo, Google's state-of-the-art video generation, HONOR will introduce co-developed experiences that accurately represent motion with enhanced realism. This integration has the potential to interpret user commands and generate videos that represent their creative vision, unlocking new possibilities for artistic expression. Furthermore, to significantly enhance user productivity, HONOR will feature more advanced office tools on these upcoming devices, co-developed with Google Gemini. These tools are designed to streamline workflows and empower users with intelligent assistance for everyday tasks. HONOR's collaboration with Google Cloud will continue to drive innovation in the combination of device and cloud AI, setting new standards for intelligent devices. Both parties are also continuously co-developing futuristic AI features to create truly intelligent smartphones, serving users and making an impact in global markets.
Khaleej Times
27-01-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Expanding Horizons: HONOR Eyes GCC Growth on Rising Consumer Demand
HONOR plans to expand its presence in the region as it has experienced robust growth in the Mid-dle East, with the UAE emerging as one of its key markets, its top official says. Laurance Li, General Manager at HONOR GCC, said HONOR will inaugurate seven more Experience Stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in addition to launch new outlets in Oman and Qatar this year. 'Two of these upcoming stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will feature an innovative concept that combines retail and service center experiences for our customers. Additionally, we are excited to expand our presence in promising markets such as Bahrain in the coming months,'Laurance Li told BTR during an interview. Laurance Li brings 18 years of extensive experience in the mobile phone industry, with a decade dedicated to overseas assignments. His career spans a range of critical roles, including front-line channel sales, go-to-market (GTM) strategies, e-commerce, and retail management. Based in Dubai, Laurance currently oversees HONOR's operations in the GCC region and manages multi-country business activities in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and others. Excerpts from the interview: Can you provide insights into your company's growth in the Middle East, particularly in UAE? HONOR has experienced robust growth in the Middle East, with the UAE emerging as one of our key markets. Over the past few years, we've broadened our portfolio of flag-ship smartphones and smart devices, consistently offering cutting-edge technology. Our growth is driven by a steadfast commitment to AI, innovation, and a human-centric ap-proach, along with deep engagement within local communities. A notable example of this is the launch of our HONOR Experience Stores in Dubai, where we provide consum-ers with hands-on experiences of our latest products. Continuing this momentum, we plan to open seven additional HONOR Experience Stores across Dubai and Abu Dhabi by the end of this year, alongside new stores in Oman and Qatar, bringing our total to eight across the GCC. Two of these upcoming stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will feature an innovative concept that combines retail and service center experiences for our custom-ers. Additionally, we are excited to expand our presence in promising markets such as Bahrain in the coming months. How do you perceive your company's standing amidst the intense competition in the smartphone market, especially regarding innovation and technology? The smartphone market is undoubtedly competitive, and HONOR stands out by consist-ently pushing the envelope in terms of innovation and technology. Our focus on artificial intelligence, particularly with features like MagicPortal 2.0, HONOR AI Falcon Camera System, and real-time NPU graphics rendering, differentiates us in the market. Moreover, HONOR has established itself as a leader in the foldable smartphone segment, with de-vices like the HONOR Magic V3 series offering cutting-edge design and functionality in the world thinnest and lightest foldable phone design that set new standards for the in-dustry. While other brands may focus on incremental improvements, HONOR strives to deliver transformative, AI-powered experiences that empower consumers in their everyday lives. We have adopted a range of innovative approaches to reinvent the smartphone from the fundamental operating system and hardware level, bringing true intelligence to the de-vice. Why was Dubai selected as the launch venue for your new smartphone, and how do you evaluate the consumer market in UAE? Dubai has always been at the forefront of technological innovation in the Middle East, making it the ideal launch venue for our new AI powered smartphone. As a global tech hub, the city offers the perfect platform to showcase our latest innovations to a tech-savvy audience. The UAE market is incredibly dynamic, with consumers eager to embrace cutting-edge technology. The enthusiasm for premium smartphones, coupled with Du-bai's role as a gateway to the broader Middle East, made it a perfect choice for our launch. We expect our new device to resonate strongly with the local consumer base, who are known for their appreciation of both quality and innovation. Could you please share the key specifications of the new smartphone? The HONOR Magic7 Pro redefines smartphone excellence with its cutting-edge features. Equipped with the AI-powered HONOR AI Falcon Camera System, it boasts a 50MP Super Dynamic Main Camera, a 50MP Wide Camera, and a 200MP Telephoto Camera, delivering exceptional detail and clarity in any lighting. The AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE and AI Super Zoom (30x to 100x) elevate the photography experience, while MagicOS 9.0 provides a personalised, intelligent interface with features like Magic Portal 2. Powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform, the Magic7 Pro offers PC-level graphics and un-paralleled gaming performance. With a 5850 mAh battery supporting 100W Wired HONOR SuperCharge, it charges to full in just 33 minutes. The 6.8-inch Natural Light HONOR AI Eye Comfort Display sets a new standard in eye care, and AI Deepfake Detection technology ensures enhanced security. Durable, high-performance, and innovative, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is built to meet the needs of today's users. In what ways has Dubai contributed to the expansion of the smartphone market and the growth of companies within it? Dubai has played a pivotal role in the expansion of the smartphone market in the region. Its advanced infrastructure, high-tech retail environments, and thriving digital ecosystem have made it a critical market for global brands. The city's status as a business hub, along with a highly connected and tech-forward population, has accelerated consumer adoption of smartphones and smart devices. Dubai's role as a melting pot of cultures also means that there is a wide variety of preferences, allowing companies like HONOR to tailor products to meet diverse needs. The city's strategic position as a gateway to the Middle East and North Africa further enhances its importance in the growth of the smartphone market. What is your current market share of smartphone sales in UAE? While we don't typically disclose exact market share figures, HONOR has seen signifi-cant growth in the UAE over the past year. Our unit sales increased by 50 per cent, while Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) grew by 70 per cent compared to 2023. We have also maintained our position as one of the top three smartphone brands for key domestic re-tailers in the UAE, reaching 15-18 per cent of their overall smartphone sales. While we are still awaiting the annual results from independent analysts, we are confi-dent that we will achieve our target of reaching a 10 per cent market share in the UAE by the end of 2024. This strong performance reflects the growing demand for our products in the region, driven by retail partnerships, product launches, and direct engagement with consumers. The UAE remains a priority market for HONOR, and we are focused on further enhancing our market presence by offering consumers high-quality, innovative smartphones that cater to their evolving needs. How significant are technology and artificial intelligence in the development of smartphones? Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are at the core of the HONOR Magic7 Pro's development, driving innovation across all aspects of the device. AI plays a critical role in enhancing photography, with the AI-powered HONOR AI Falcon Camera System deliver-ing advanced features like AI Super Zoom, AI Motion Sensing Capture, and HD Super Burst for precise, high-quality images. AI also optimises system performance, battery life, and user experience through MagicOS 9.0, which offers personalised features like Magic Portal 2 for seamless app interaction and instant access to services. By leveraging AI and cutting-edge technology, HONOR is able to offer a truly intelligent and personalised smartphone experience, setting new standards in performance, photography, and securi-ty.
