
Huawei has officially announced its Android alternative operating system. It’s officially dubbed as HarmonyOS. Note that outside of China it will be called as HarmonyOS, while in China, the company would be calling it HongmengOS, which we have already known about.
HarmonyOS – Huawei’s new operating system is here
This new HarmonyOS is created not just for smartphones, but is also build for to work on devices like smart speakers and internet-of-things (IOT) devices. With HarmonyOS, the company is believed to be taking one step ahead and look forward to replace its reliance on Android. Note that HarmonyOS will be an open source OS.
Following the US government’s decision to put Huawei on the Entity list, and thus its Android license suspension by Google immediately afterwards. The company since then haven’t kept it a secret that they have been working on a standalone operating system for its devices across the globe.
This is well and good, an introduction of a new operating system by Huawei. But it isn’t clear the level of requirement to be dependant on this newly announced OS. Since Trump Administration has come around and is willing to give Huawei ease to the restrictions it laid upon it in May when first announced.
Last month, senior officials have stated that where national security isn’t impacted, a license grant of some sort could be offered to Huawei. But unfortunately, it has been delayed, primarily due to the trade clash-ins going on between two countries.
HarmonyOS – Primarily built for IOT
It is interesting to note that, Richard You, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, said its new OS is faster and safer than Android. And that it is believed to be primarily aimed at IOT products, instead of smartphones. If there comes a time when Huawei no longer able to access the Google’s Android ecosystem, then Huawei could deploy HarmonyOS. Until then, Huawei will continue to offer Android support on its devices.
What do you guys think of the new HarmonyOS? Unfortunately, there’s not much details available regarding the look and feel of the newly announced OS. But we may get it soon. Stay tuned.