Huawei‘s homegrown operating system, HarmonyOS, is getting closer to a full public release. Today, blogger @Flanker_017 on Weibo shared images revealing the user interface of HarmonyOS NEXT running on a real device (Mate 60).
The commercial version is expected to arrive in Q4
The images showcase a new design for the OS, but also a significant change under the hood – native Android apps are no longer supported. This could be a potential hurdle for users who rely on a mix of Android and HarmonyOS apps. The blogger highlights the concern for apps that store a lot of local data, like messaging apps and note-taking tools. Without a clear solution to migrate or access this data, users might face a frustrating experience even if they can download the apps again.
Additionally, the blogger said that the kernel is indeed a new microkernel. A Linux compatibility module has been integrated to facilitate Linux syscalls. This news comes after Huawei’s HarmonyOS Eco Thousand Sails Sailing Ceremony in January, where they announced the developer preview program for HarmonyOS NEXT Milky Way Edition. The developer Beta program is expected to launch in Q2 (April-June) of this year, with the commercial version arriving in Q4 (October-December).
Given the timeline, there’s still time for Huawei to address user experience concerns like app compatibility and data migration. With a complete overhaul of the app ecosystem on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how Huawei bridges the gap for users accustomed to the familiar Android app landscape.
Huawei is also actively courting app developers, offering financial incentives and training programs. The company aims to have over 5,000 apps available on HarmonyOS, covering the most popular categories like social media, finance, and gaming.
The success of Huawei’s Mate 60 series, powered by a domestic Kirin processor and the latest HarmonyOS, has bolstered confidence in the new OS. The Mate 60 series reportedly sold close to 1.5 million units in its launch month, showcasing strong consumer interest.
Huawei is strategically targeting China’s vast smartphone market. The company estimates that HarmonyOS achieved a critical 16% market share in China by Q4 2023, attracting a significant developer base. HarmonyOS now boasts nearly 4% of the global market share, putting it on track to compete with Apple’s 23%.
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(Source)
