It’s the first HarmonyOS device.
Huawei launched the Honor brand’s first smart TV, which is also the first product powered by the Android alternative (HarmonyOS) that the company launched at its developer conference in Dongguan over the weekend.
HarmonyOS can be used in various products from home appliances and wearable technology to in-car devices, Huawei said.
The Honor Vision TV is the first product to feature its self-developed operating system, an alternative to those from Google and Apple.
The new TV will become an “information and control center” in the living room, Huawei said, allowing users to make high-definition video calls, sync and project files and pictures between smartphone and TV, while search and control the device by smartphone.
“It’s not only a TV but it represents the future of TV,” said Zhao Ming, Honor’s president.
Several reports confirmed that Huawei had been developing its own operating system for a while now in case time comes that it can’t use Android anymore.
Ever since Google suspended Huawei’s Android license back in May, the company has been open about its plans to develop an alternative operating system. The company did say that Harmony OS has been in development for over two years.
We can all now see that HarmonyOS is Huawei’s big attempt to decrease its reliance on Google’s Android operating system.
Considering that all other tech giants cut ties with the manufacturer recently due to the trade restrictions that the US government imposed upon it.
Honor Vision will be available in two versions, both of which are 55-inch screen with 4K HDR capability. They are the Honor Vision and Honor Vision Pro, which will go on sale in China this week, reports Gadgets360.
Honor’s new display is equipped with SoCs and chipsets from Huawei’s semiconductor company HiSilicon. Honor vision Tv owners will be able to use their phones or tablets to search for programs to watch. They can also sync what they’re typing out on their phones, and they can project files on the display. The Pro model has a 1080p pop-up camera for video calls with AI capabilities, including facial recognition, body tracking, and posture detection, as well.
The Pro version has twice the storage (32GB) of the standard one and is priced at ¥4,799 (approximately $680) more expensive than its basic sibling which will run for ¥3,799 (approximately $540).
Pre-orders are now open in China and a wide release is expected on August 15th, but there’s no word yet on whether it’ll ever be available outside Huawei’s home country.
Companies that have traditionally been known for their smartphones are venturing into the smart TV business. Xiaomi who has been in this game for some time now is launching a marketing campaign for its products, including TVs, on August 16. On the other hand, OnePlus is also gearing up to launch its own smart screen product.
On Friday, a day before Huawei’s launch, Hisense, the top TV vendor in the domestic market, also released a new smart home ecosystem with interactive and Internet of Things features.
Its Hi Table features a new display, Internet of Things, AI and social functions. It can connect 45 million Hisense users and 120 kinds of smart devices “to define the future of TV,” according to Wang Wei, the company’s vice general manager.
“We welcome the entry of Huawei. It will bring fresh air and innovation in the market,” Wang said.
