Huawei Unveils HarmonyOS NEXT, Eyes Third Position in Mobile OS Market
In a significant move for the tech industry, Huawei has officially launched HarmonyOS NEXT, the company’s successor to its original HarmonyOS, on October 22, 2024. This development comes after the U.S. government placed Huawei on its entity list in May 2019, which restricted the company’s access to essential U.S. technology and services, including Google. As Huawei navigates a challenging landscape, the new operating system represents both a challenge and an opportunity to reshape its mobile ecosystem.
The Journey to HarmonyOS NEXT
Back in April 2018, prior to being blacklisted, Huawei anticipated potential hurdles when it stated, "Losing its license from Google to use Android means that Huawei would be without Google Services." This foresight prompted Huawei’s founder, Ren Zhengfei, to underscore the strategic necessity of developing its operating system: "We are developing our own OS out of strategic consideration because we won’t be doomed if they suddenly cut off our food," he declared.
By 2019, Huawei had unveiled HarmonyOS as a new chapter in its efforts to create an independent software environment for its smartphones and devices—a move that became ever more urgent after the restrictions were placed on the company. The original HarmonyOS was based on an Android "fork," allowing the company to modify open-source Android code into something unique.
Launch Details
After extensive public beta testing that began on October 8, 2024, the final version of HarmonyOS NEXT has arrived, now fully utilizing the HarmonyOS kernel and exclusively supporting HarmonyOS applications. Users can experience the new OS on a variety of Huawei devices, including:
- HUAWEI Mate 60
- HUAWEI Mate X5
- HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+
- HUAWEI Pocket 2 and more
Excitingly, Huawei plans to expand the HarmonyOS NEXT rollout in 2025 to include devices from the Nova series and other models like the Huawei MatePad Pro.
Future Aspirations
Huawei’s ambition doesn’t stop with the release of HarmonyOS NEXT; the company aims to position HarmonyOS as the third-largest mobile operating system worldwide, following Android and iOS. This goal appears more realistic than ever, as Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, announced that HarmonyOS is currently active on over 1 billion devices and boasts a growing ecosystem of 15,000 applications and services.
AI Integration and User Experience
HarmonyOS NEXT is deeply integrated with artificial intelligence, featuring the AI-powered Xiaoyi assistant among its offerings. Its user interface exhibits a lock screen design akin to iOS, and new widgets can seamlessly relocate to complement the device’s wallpaper, enhancing aesthetic appeal and user experience.
The success of HarmonyOS NEXT will heavily depend on the platform’s ability to attract third-party developers. As history has shown, this is often the cornerstone for any operating system—wider app availability drives user engagement and satisfaction.
The Broader Implications
The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT not only signifies a crucial step for Huawei but also raises essential questions about the future of mobile operating systems and the smartphone industry as a whole. Should Huawei successfully assert itself as a competitive player in the mobile OS landscape, it could reshape market dynamics, particularly in regions where the company’s devices are popular.
However, to realize this vision, Huawei must overcome ongoing challenges, including international scrutiny and the need for continuous innovation. The technology industry will be watching closely as this new platform unfolds.
As Huawei continues to develop its ecosystem and promote HarmonyOS NEXT, the question remains: How will this impact consumers and developers alike? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and feel free to share this article with fellow technology enthusiasts!
For more updates on mobile technology, follow our ongoing coverage at Shorty-News and explore authoritative resources on platforms like TechCrunch, The Verge, or Wired.
