Introduction

In a bold move to carve out its space in the competitive mobile operating system landscape, Huawei has set its sights on making HarmonyOS NEXT the third most popular operating system worldwide, trailing only behind industry giants Android and iOS.

Background

The journey began back in May 2019, when the U.S. government placed Huawei on its entity list, effectively barring the company from leveraging its American supply chain. This landmark decision meant that Huawei could no longer collaborate with Google, pushing the tech giant to either rely on the open-source version of Android or embark on the ambitious task of creating its own operating system. In fact, just a year before the sanctions, Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, hinted at the company's plans to develop an independent OS, suggesting that their future depended on not having their resources cut off by powerful partners.

The Launch of HarmonyOS

In 2019, the company officially debuted HarmonyOS, a response to the loss of access to Google Mobile Services. HarmonyOS was essentially an "Android fork," designed to provide Huawei devices with a semblance of familiar functionality.

HarmonyOS NEXT

Fast forward to October 22, 2024, and the introduction of HarmonyOS NEXT marks a significant evolution. After a successful public beta launched on October 8, the new OS is not just a revamped version but utilizes only the HarmonyOS kernel, exclusively supporting HarmonyOS applications.

Ambitions and Investments

This latest iteration represents Huawei's ambition not only to sustain its device ecosystem but to thrive independently amid challenging geopolitical landscapes. To demonstrate the capabilities of HarmonyOS NEXT, Huawei has made it available on a range of devices in 2024, allowing users to experience its distinctive features and performance.

Developer Engagement and User Experience

Notably, Huawei has been investing heavily in its software development, as it aims to attract developers and users to its platform. The company is also focused on enhancing user experience, integrating AI features, and expanding compatibility across various devices, making HarmonyOS NEXT a versatile option in today’s tech-savvy world.

Conclusion

As the competition heats up, stakeholders are keenly observing how Huawei's strategic plans for HarmonyOS NEXT unfold. Will it successfully dethrone other contenders and secure a top position in the OS market? The coming months will reveal the effectiveness of Huawei's vision and execution. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops!