Three new devices, a new operating system and forward-thinking innovations in virtual and augmented reality were featured in Honor’s hybrid showcase

Honor CEO George Zhao and Tony Ran, president of Honor Europe, unveiled three new devices, and shared the company’s vision for a new era of connectivity during his Keynote speech at IFA Berlin on Friday. 

Mr. Zhao offered an exclusive preview of Honor’s upcoming smart collaboration operating system, MagicOS 7.0. The OS embraces open standards, allowing users to enjoy cross-platform and cross-device experiences. MagicOS 7.0 is based on Android, PC and IoT (internet of things) operating systems. Devices that run on different OS can therefore connect to Magic at a system level. 

“MagicOS 7.0 is the perfect showcase of our commitment to openness and collaboration,” explained the CEO.

He continued by saying: “It is designed to work with all kinds of different devices across all uses and scenarios. Open platforms make it possible for us to develop these connected experiences.”

In an informative demonstration, Mr. Zhao showcased the unique functionality of the company’s operating system. 

He described the system saying: “Imagine working on a presentation on your PC, you can use your mouse to drag photos on your smartphone and add them directly to the slides on your PC… the video in your laptop can also be transferred to your tablet with simple drag and drop. You can drag your smartphone’s emails across the screens through the PC and add those to your tablet.”

The thinking behind this unique OS was spelt out in black and white: no boundary between devices. “It’s really cool,” was the CEO’s verdict. 

Good things come in threes

Taking the stage (in-person) after Mr. Zhao’s virtual keynote was Tony Ran, president of Honor Europe. Mr. Ran was proud to unveil three new devices. 

First up was the Honor 70, the latest addition to the company’s high-end N Series smartphone line-up, described as Mr. Ran as “still the most popular series in the Honor portfolio.”

The phone features two circular camera modules that host a triple camera system. An IMX800 sensor has a 54 megapixel resolution, with hardware that guarantees “stunning, high-definition images”. 

The next device that was unveiled was the Magicbook 14, dubbed by Honor as a “mobile productivity powerhouse.” The device features OS Turbo, with upgrades in battery life and a reported 20.8% increase in power efficiency when compared to the previous model. Powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core 12500H processor, and featuring a 75W battery, the MagicBook 14 promises to be a connected crowd-pleaser upon release. 

Lastly, in the new Honor lineup was the Honor Pad 8, featuring an immersive 12-inch 2K FullView display with a screen-to-body ratio of 87%. “It really offers the best-in-class display, especially for media and entertainment,” noted Honor’s president of Europe. At just 520 grams, it is a lightweight device that features eight stereo speakers, offering what Mr. Ran described as “an immersive audio experience.

The gateway of the future: Honor’s investment in virtual and augmented reality 

Later in the presentation, Ran showcased the company’s new expansions into the world of virtual and augmented reality, especially as a means to enrich cultural heritage. 

“Now, I know we are here in Berlin, but let’s take a moment to turn our attention to Hamburg,” Mr. Ran said. As part of the company’s partnership with the game development company Arloopa, Honor asked artists Yunuene and Timo Helgert to reimagine Hamburg’s iconic Wasserschloss building located in Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Users can use the Arloopa app to view the virtual experience.

“Technology can be used to connect the physical and digital worlds together, opening a new way to understand our world,” Mr. Ran explained.  

Honor also announced a Spatial Audio solution which allows headphones to produce 3D sound effects, “creat[ing] the sense of immersion required for next-generation AR and VR experiences”.