Huawei Launches HarmonyOS NEXT, Ending Android Dependence

Today, Huawei introduced the latest iteration of its proprietary operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT, during an event held in China. This updated version marks a significant milestone as it is the first release that completely eliminates any remnants of Android, following the U.S. sanctions imposed on Huawei since 2019.

Utilizing Huawei’s microkernel built on OpenHarmony open-source frameworks, the new OS supports applications via both the Huawei Ark compiler and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). This ensures compatibility across a vast range of Huawei devices, including smartwatches, tablets, and more.

Since being placed on the U.S. “Entity List”in May 2019 by former President Donald Trump, Huawei has focused its operations primarily within China. This designation restricted the company from collaborating with any American firms, which adversely affected its devices running on Android and Google services, leading to a significant decline in its business in the region.

Among the key features highlighted on Huawei’s announcement page for the new OS is the inclusion of their AI assistant, Xiaoyi, which can be activated through voice commands or the device’s navigation bar. It also introduces functionality akin to Apple’s NameDrop and offers unified control across compatible Huawei devices, among several other enhancements.

The beta version of the new operating system is currently available to the public for select devices such as the Huawei Pura 70 series, Huawei Pocket 2, and Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024). Although Huawei has confirmed plans to launch this OS in international markets as well, no specific timelines for its global rollout were provided during the event.

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