Honor launches AI assistant to challenge Apple in China

On September 6, 2024, Honor announced the launch of its upgraded artificial intelligence assistant, Yoyo, aimed at competing with established players like Apple and Samsung. This new version of Yoyo, referred to as the Honor AI Agent, is set to be introduced in China soon, with plans for international markets to follow. The AI enhancement is designed to make user experiences more personalized and efficient, leveraging the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) that have gained popularity in recent years. During a demonstration, Yoyo showcased its ability to manage automatic subscriptions on popular Chinese payment platforms, WeChat and Alipay. This feature highlights the assistant's potential to streamline user interactions and provide valuable suggestions based on individual behavior. The introduction of AI agents like Yoyo reflects a broader trend among smartphone manufacturers to enhance digital assistants, making them more capable and responsive. Honor's move comes as competitors like Samsung and Apple are also working on improving their digital assistants. Samsung plans to unveil an upgraded version of Bixby that incorporates its own LLM, while Apple is preparing to launch Apple Intelligence, which will enhance Siri's capabilities. However, Apple's improved assistant is not expected to be available in China this year. By launching Yoyo, Honor aims to position itself ahead of major competitors and attract users to its latest devices. The company is betting on the growing demand for advanced AI features in smartphones, hoping that Yoyo will resonate with consumers looking for more personalized technology solutions.