New smartphones Magic6 Pro, MagicBook Pro 16 announced: Prices, features revealed

Chinese global technology brand Honor on Sunday launched its Magic6 Pro smartphone and AI PC MagicBook Pro 16, which are equipped with its platform-level artificial intelligence (AI) operating system to offer more human-centric experiences to users.

The Magic6 Pro has been priced at 1,299 euros (nearly Dh5,200). Pre-orders have started from February 25 in Europe and the smartphone will be available from March 1, 2024.

Launched at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2024) in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, the latest addition to the Honor Magic Series flagship lineup comes with advancements in photography, display, performance and AI-powered user experiences.

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The technology giant unveiled MagicOS 8.0, the latest version of its Android-based operating system that introduces platform-level AI and the industry's first intent-based user interface.

“As we race ahead into the AI era, Honor is committed to delivering human-centric innovations that bring an open and seamless experience to address our consumers’ desires and pain points. We announced the global launch of the new Honor smartphones and AI PC, which revolutionise the user experience with industry-leading AI capabilities while breaking boundaries in human-device interaction,” said George Zhao, CEO of Honor Device Co.

The most exciting feature that Magic6 Pro offers users is its ability to control a car hands-free through its AI-powered eye-tracking system.

With a simple tap on the notifications banner at the top of the screen, the Magic Capsule in Magic6 Pro expands to offer additional information and related options, granting users instant access to essential resources and eliminating the need to navigate through multiple apps for maximum productivity and efficiency.

Meanwhile, Magic Portal streamlines complex tasks into a single-step process. For example, Magic Portal’s AI quickly recognises addresses in a text message and directs users to Google Maps, enabling effortless navigation at their fingertips. For social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, it also streamlines access and sharing, allowing users to forward booking details or online search results with just a single drag. Furthermore, Magic Portal facilitates image-based shopping experiences, seamlessly guiding users to platforms where they can find and purchase desired items.

Magic Portal supports over 100 most frequently used apps globally.

To provide a preview of potential future opportunities, Honor brings on-device AI with open-source LlaMA 2 inside the Magic6 Pro, which can complete functions such as Q&A, text creation, and reading comprehension in an offline environment.

The Chinese technology major revealed how it is possible to control a car hands-free through its Magic6 Pro's AI-powered eye-tracking system. The experimental concept showcases how the interplay between AI-enhanced smartphones and vehicles can go beyond screen or voice controls, unlocking a realm of human-device interactions that hold immense possibilities.

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