Huawei debuts Android alternative HarmonyOS

Chinese giant says new operating system can be deployed to smartphones and other devices at any time

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Huawei officially introduced HarmonyOS during its three-day developer conference in China’s southern city of Dongguan. (Picture: Huawei)

Published: 8:27pm, 9 Aug 2019Updated: 9:10am, 20 Sep 2019

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

Huawei has taken the wraps off its first self-developed operating system.

Huawei says HarmonyOS, dubbed Hongmeng in Chinese, can run seamlessly across different devices ranging from handheld gadgets like smartphones, PCs and wearables to smart home products like smart speakers and headsets. The company’s new Honor-branded smart display, set for launch in China this Saturday, will be Huawei’s first product to run on the OS.

Speculation had been rife for months over Huawei’s secret in-house OS. After it emerged in May that future Huawei phones may lose access to Google’s apps and services on Android (a vital feature for global consumers), it was reported that the Chinese giant had been preparing an alternative OS. Company executives, however, have stressed that the company wants to keep using Google services if possible.

That hope, though, relies on many uncertainties. While President Donald Trump signaled in late June that US companies could resume sales of some products to Huawei, Bloomberg reported this week that the White House is now delaying its decision. The need for an Android replacement, it seems, remains urgent for Huawei.

Huawei’s mobile chief Richard Yu said on Friday that HarmonyOS is ready to be used on the company’s smartphones at any time. But he added that Android will remain its first choice for now, as long as it’s still available.

According to the schedule the company unveiled at the event, Huawei plans to roll out the second generation of HarmonyOS next year on smartwatches, fitness bands, car infotainment systems and “innovative homegrown PCs.” By 2021, a third generation OS will come to smart speakers and headphones, as well.