Huawei Officially Drops Android with Launch of HarmonyOS on NEXT
Huawei Officially Drops Android with Launch of HarmonyOS NEXT
In a significant move marking a definitive break from the Android ecosystem, Huawei has formally launched its latest operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT. This new iteration of HarmonyOS was announced on Wednesday, with the company initiating public beta testing for select smartphones and tablets powered by its own Kirin and Kunpeng chips.
Key Features and Changes
Unlike previous versions of HarmonyOS, HarmonyOS NEXT no longer supports Android apps, a decision that Huawei believes will not deter major Chinese developers. The company has highlighted that top Chinese outfits, including Meituan, Douyin, Taobao, Xiaohongshu, Alipay, and JD.com, have already developed native apps for the new OS. These apps are integral to China's shopping, payment, and social media landscape, indicating a strong local support base for HarmonyOS NEXT.
At the time of the announcement, Huawei reported that over 15,000 native applications and meta-services have been developed for HarmonyOS NEXT. While this number is substantial, it still falls short of the millions of apps available on the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.
Performance and Technical Details
Huawei claims that HarmonyOS NEXT significantly enhances the performance of mobile devices. The operating system, which consists of 110 million lines of code, is said to improve overall device performance by 30 percent and increase battery life by 56 minutes. Additionally, it leaves an average of 1.5GB of memory available for purposes other than running the OS, which could be beneficial for multitasking and other resource-intensive activities.
System-Level AI and Security
HarmonyOS NEXT incorporates system-level AI capabilities based on the Pangu large language model, enhancing the user experience with advanced AI-driven features. The OS also includes a new security system called “Star Shield,” which provides system-level protection for devices running HarmonyOS NEXT.
Availability and Future Plans
For now, HarmonyOS NEXT will be available only in China, with public beta testing underway for devices such as the Huawei Pura 70 series, Huawei Pocket 2, and Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024). Despite previous attempts to export earlier versions of HarmonyOS, Huawei currently has no plans to offer HarmonyOS NEXT outside of China. This decision is likely due to the OS's lack of support for Android apps and the limited international appeal without key global applications.
Broader Implications
The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT is part of China's broader push for tech independence, particularly in response to the 2019 U.S. sanctions that blocked Huawei's access to Google Mobile Services. This move marks a significant step away from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which previous versions of HarmonyOS relied on for core functionality.
Huawei also plans to expand HarmonyOS NEXT to other devices, including PCs, as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on Windows. The company's Consumer Business Group Chairman, Richard Yu, has indicated that future Huawei PCs will run on HarmonyOS instead of Windows, though the timeline for this transition is not yet clear.
Developer and Market Impact
The lack of Android app support in HarmonyOS NEXT raises questions about its global market viability. However, Huawei is optimistic about the OS's potential, especially in regions where its existing ecosystem is strong. The company has managed to attract offshore entities, such as Singapore-based Grab and the airline Emirates, to develop apps for the platform, suggesting some international interest despite the current China-only focus.
For users outside of China, the absence of Android apps and the limited availability of key global applications could be a significant barrier to adoption. However, Huawei's strategy seems to be focused on leveraging its strong domestic market and potentially expanding into other regions where its ecosystem can be more easily integrated.