HarmonyOS Next official version launched to rival Android without APKs

After several teasers and the testing phase of the HUAWEI HarmonyOS Next, the new standalone software is now official in China.

The OS supports several devices

HarmonyOS Next launched

To recall, it is the first Operating System from HUAWEI that is free of Android and Linux kernels. Meaning it will no longer use APK for its apps. Additionally, it also has upgraded security to protect users from unwanted cyber-attacks.

This new software will power the current and upcoming devices of HUAWEI in China. While the global version is confirmed, it is unknown when the brand will release it.

HarmonyOS Next will provide smooth smooth unified architecture between HarmonyOS Next devices, the cloud, and interconnectivity across several device form factors. It supports apps through the Huawei Ark compiler with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS).

The features 

Richard Yu, the firm's Consumer Business Group Chairman said there are now 15,000 app services included in the HarmonyOS Next ecosystem and promised that there will be more in the future.

The previous HarmonyOS version is also powering more than 1 billion devices across smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart homes, and car infotainment.

The new OS also brings improved visuals with its lock screen and home screen customization choices, tweaked control center, smoother animations, and app launch speeds.

Additionally, it also has AI features running on system-level AI based on the Pangu large language model.

Seamless interconnectivity

The brand claims it brings a 30 percent boost in device fluency and, a 20 percent decrease in power draw in communication across software modules.

HUAWEI Share 2.0 offers seamless connectivity and file sharing across devices, boasting the ability to transfer a 1.2GB file between two HarmonyOS Next devices in merely 8 seconds.

In terms of security, HUAWEI Boasts the self-made Star Shield architecture bringing protection on a system level.

Currently, the brand is rolling out the HarmonyOS Next in China. Among the first adopters are the Pura 70 Series, Pocket 2, and MatePad Pro 11 (2024).

Source: HUAWEI