HarmonyOS: Operating system developed by Huawei

Introduction:

HarmonyOS is an operating system developed by Huawei, a Chinese multinational technology company. It was designed to be a versatile and open-source operating system that can be used across a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to smart TVs, wearables, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. HarmonyOS was officially announced by Huawei in August 2019 as a potential replacement for Android on its mobile devices.

History:

2012: Huawei began developing its operating system, initially known as "Project Z."

2019: HarmonyOS was officially announced in response to the U.S. trade ban that restricted Huawei's access to Google's Android ecosystem.

2020: Huawei introduced HarmonyOS 2.0, which was designed to run on a broader range of devices, including smartphones and tablets.

2021: HarmonyOS started rolling out to Huawei smartphones and other smart devices in China, with a global expansion plan in the works.

Release

On August 9, 2019, just three months after being placed on the Entity List, Huawei made a public debut of HarmonyOS at its inaugural developers' conference in Dongguan. Huawei claimed to have been developing this operating system since 2012. HarmonyOS, as described by Huawei, is a microkernel-based distributed operating system designed for various hardware types. The primary focus of the company was on Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart TVs, wearables, and in-car entertainment systems, rather than positioning it explicitly as a mobile operating system.

HarmonyOS 2.0 was officially launched during the Huawei Developer Conference on September 10, 2020. Huawei announced its intention to incorporate this operating system into its smartphones in 2021. The first developer beta of HarmonyOS 2.0 was released on December 16, 2020, accompanied by the launch of the DevEco Studio IDE, based on IntelliJ IDEA, and a cloud emulator for developers in early access.

In June 2021, Huawei officially released HarmonyOS 2.0 and introduced new devices equipped with the operating system. They also began the gradual rollout of system upgrades to older Huawei phones for existing users.

On July 27, 2022, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS 3, designed to provide an improved user experience across a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, printers, cars, and televisions. Additionally, Huawei unveiled Petal Chuxing, a ride-hailing app compatible with the new operating system.

On June 29, 2023, Huawei initiated the first developer beta for HarmonyOS 4. Subsequently, on August 4, 2023, Huawei officially announced and launched HarmonyOS 4 as a public beta. On August 9, the company rolled out the operating system to 34 different existing Huawei smartphone and tablet devices, albeit in the form of a public beta build. Alongside HarmonyOS 4, Huawei also introduced HarmonyOS NEXT, which is a "pure" version of HarmonyOS, lacking Android libraries and therefore incompatible with Android applications.

Application:

HarmonyOS is designed to provide a seamless and unified user experience across different device categories. Its key applications include:

• Smartphones and Tablets: HarmonyOS can run on these devices, offering features similar to Android and iOS.
• Smart TVs: It powers smart TVs, providing a smooth interface for streaming, gaming, and other smart TV functions.
• Wearables: HarmonyOS is used in Huawei's smartwatches and fitness trackers.
• IoT Devices: It connects and manages various IoT devices within the HarmonyOS ecosystem.

Acceptance in China and Worldwide:

In China, where Huawei enjoys strong brand recognition and a large user base, HarmonyOS has seen relatively high acceptance. Huawei has actively promoted the OS, and many Chinese users have adopted it on their smartphones and other devices.

However, its acceptance outside of China has been more limited due to concerns about its availability of popular apps and services, as well as the lack of Google Mobile Services. The global market for mobile operating systems is dominated by Android and iOS, making it challenging for HarmonyOS to gain widespread traction.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Versatility: HarmonyOS is designed to run on a wide range of devices, offering a unified experience.
• Security: Huawei emphasizes the security features of HarmonyOS, which may appeal to users concerned about data privacy.
• Open Source: HarmonyOS is open-source, potentially attracting developers to contribute and build applications for it.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: It allows for seamless device-to-device interaction within the HarmonyOS ecosystem.

Cons:

• Limited App Ecosystem: HarmonyOS lacks the extensive app ecosystem of Android and iOS, making it less appealing to users accustomed to popular apps.
• Global Expansion Challenges: Outside of China, HarmonyOS faces challenges in gaining acceptance due to its lack of Google services and competition from established ecosystems.
• Uncertain Future: The long-term success of HarmonyOS depends on Huawei's ability to overcome political and market challenges.
• Lack of Widespread Adoption: As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, HarmonyOS was still in its early stages of adoption, especially outside of China.

Comparison with Established Brands:

• Android: HarmonyOS shares some similarities with Android in terms of user interface and app compatibility, but it lacks access to Google services, which many Android users rely on.
• iOS: iOS is known for its seamless integration across Apple devices, which HarmonyOS aims to replicate across various brands of devices.
• Samsung Tizen, and LG webOS: These are competitors in the smart TV space, and HarmonyOS competes by offering a unified ecosystem across multiple device categories.

Conclusion:

HarmonyOS represents Huawei's ambitious attempt to create a versatile, unified operating system for various devices. While it has gained some acceptance in China, its global success remains uncertain due to the challenges posed by established ecosystems like Android and iOS. The key to HarmonyOS's future success will depend on Huawei's ability to expand its app ecosystem, overcome political obstacles, and appeal to users beyond its domestic market. The operating system's fate in the global market will likely continue to evolve, and its impact will become more apparent in the coming years.