Huawei
Huawei could next aim for Windows after exiting Android roots in China?
Huawei is making efforts to make its devices independent of foreign components and OS(s). The phone, watch, and tablet section is already booked by HarmonyOS NEXT. After Android, it seems Huawei is now eyeing to kick out Windows from China.
The Chinese tech giant is seemingly set to challenge Windows as well as macOS with its alleged HarmonyOS PC software system. Before we jump into the details, let’s briefly explore Huawei’s new operating system journey in the home ground.
HarmonyOS NEXT vs Android
At the onset of this year, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS NEXT – a true and real operating system. By ‘real’, it means that the OS is free of U.S.-based components and Android. The aim is to break the rule of the foreign OS platforms in the native region.
The official details reveal that Huawei removed all source code linked to Android or Linux and seeded self-developed components to its new operating system.
HarmonyOS NEXT base elements include Pangu AI model, ArkUI-X programming framework, HarmonyOS Design, MindSpore AI Framework, Harmony kernel (3 times more efficient than Linux), Ark Compiler, Cangjie language, and DevEco Studio.
HarmonyOS NEXT (Image Credits: Huawei)
Huawei even moved away from the Android Open Source Project in favor of a custom OS architecture. In other words, HarmonyOS NEXT won’t support Google or Android-compatible apps in the future. Yet, it will improve the performance of Huawei devices.
The work is already in action as Huawei partnered with several app developers. Many of the Android alternative apps began adapting to the HarmonyOS-based native app versions. The company will also introduce some of the game apps on July 26.
Other app examples count WeChat, a Chinese alternative to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Bilibili, Taobao, Yiche, and more. This shows that the U.S. sanctions have ultimately made the company more independent and powerful in China.
HarmonyOS NEXT-based applications (Image Credits: Huawei)
HarmonyOS PC vs Windows: Huawei’s next goal?
Apart from HarmonyOS NEXT, the Chinese OEM is also working on a computer-dedicated software HarmonyOS PC. Huawei’s former executive – Wang Chenglu said last year that the firm is developing a new PC software and could launch in 2024.
Many leaks mentioned that the new PC software will arrive this year. Even though the company has not officially announced this matter yet. But a recent revelation points out that Huawei could introduce the HarmonyOS PC in the upcoming months.
Some snaps on the official Huawei Developer website allegedly show the HarmonyOS PC UI layout. The overall view of the PC interface appears quite similar to macOS. Meanwhile, the minimalistic look and efficiency seem more effective than Windows.
Huawei could next aim for Windows after exiting Android roots in China (Image Credits: Huawei)
The leak further highlights audio, video, social, networking, and many other applications on the PC. The outlook appears spacious with easy-to-navigate features.
Chinese government is constantly backing Huawei for its HarmonyOS ecosystem development. Perhaps the results will be visible on this matter with HarmonyOS NEXT stable version release in the fourth quarter of this year.
At the same time, the company might also introduce the most-awaited computer-dedicated software. With similar or even better features for HarmonyOS PC, Huawei might oust Windows from China, following Android exit.
