HUAWEI HarmonyOS Next now official: A departure from Android kernel!

Initially teased last August 2023, now HUAWEI officially revealed the HarmonyOS Next at the Harmony Ecology Conference.

Photo from Sparrowsnews

HUAWEI HarmonyOS is now official!

To recap, this is the brand's standalone Operating System without relying on Android. This is a significant milestone as now HUAWEI breaks free from using AOSP. 

The HarmonyOS Next preview

The "Next" version is built from the ground up using the Harmony kernel and solely utilizes applications specifically made for its distinctive architecture.

HUAWEI boasts a number of concepts like the "Spatial", "Vivid Color" and Immersive" modes. The software's UI features significant changes, highlighting floating effects across components to improve the 3D experience. According to the devs, having clearer color distinctions in built-in apps improves usability.

Watch the trailer below.

Furthermore, the new UI also emphasizes native refined, applications, smoothness, security, intelligence, and interconnection to further enhance the user experience. According to HUAWEI, they are using a "heterogeneous native" parallel mechanism, amplifying memory management efficiency 3x than the normal ones.

Yu Chengdong (Richard Yu), HUAWEI's CEO of Consumer BG noted that the HarmonyOS Next's kernel is "beyond the typical kernels" thanks to its ability to adapt in several device scenarios. The HarmonyOS system is marked as an extensive OS, made from programming language to compiler, removing the dependency on Linux kernel or AOSP.

As of now, "200+ HarmonyOS native apps are in the making", spanning the vast range of mainstream used apps. 

Meanwhile, more than 50 percent of China's Top 200 mobile apps have started joining in the development of HarmonyOS native applications. The developer community is reportedly increasing rapidly with more than 10,000 registrations daily.

Major players in China have also joined like Alipay, Jingdong, Xiaohongshu, and Meituan who are part of the social, audio, video, games, finance, and food app industries.

Right now, it is worth mentioning that the said standalone OS is strategically developed for Chinese consumers where HUAWEI holds valiant support.

Finally, the closed beta version of the HarmonyOS NEXT is available to users of Mate 60, 60 Pro, Mate 40 Pro, and Mate X5. Based on the firm's action plan, Chinese consumers will get the update by Q2 2024, while the final release will be in Q4 2024.

Unfortunately, HUAWEI kept their mouth shut for a  global release yet. We're guessing there might be a lot of testing waters before it comes to fruition.

What do you guys think?

Source: HUAWEI, via: Sparrowsnews