After a few years of building out “HarmonyOS,” Huawei’s latest update has finally blocked the ability to install Android apps at all, but that comes as a large library of supported apps has been built.
As was reported last year, Huawei was working towards a version of its HarmonyOS, which started as a thinly veiled Android skin, that didn’t support Android apps. Since the switch from EMUI to HarmonyOS, Huawei smartphone users have still been able to sideload most apps, even if they still can’t use Google apps including the Play Store.
While preparing for the switch, though, Huawei was hard at work convincing developers to support “HarmonyOS Next.” In a press release, Huawei says that 10,000 apps are now supported on the updated platform, with “99.9% of consumers’ usage time needs” covered.
At HUAWEI CONNECT 2024, Zhu Yonggang, President of Huawei Mobile Cloud, announced that more than 10,000 applications and meta-services have been launched on the HarmonyOS NEXT application market, meeting 99.9% of consumers’ usage time
Huawei is expected to fully launch this new platform on September 24 alongside new products.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS Next: A Summary of Key Developments
This article discusses Huawei’s upcoming HarmonyOS Next, a significant update to their operating system that will no longer support Android apps. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
HarmonyOS Next: A Clean Break from Android:
No More Android Apps: After years of development, HarmonyOS Next will completely block the installation of Android apps, marking a major shift away from Android.
Large App Library: Huawei claims that 10,000 apps are now supported on HarmonyOS Next, covering “99.9% of consumers’ usage time needs.” This suggests they’ve been working to build a robust ecosystem of native HarmonyOS apps.
Developer Focus: Huawei has been actively encouraging developers to create apps specifically for HarmonyOS Next, ensuring a smooth transition for users.
The Transition:
Early Stages: HarmonyOS initially started as a modified version of Android, but Huawei has been steadily working towards a fully independent operating system.
Sideloading Workaround: While Google services and the Play Store have been unavailable on Huawei phones for some time, users could previously sideload most Android apps. This will no longer be possible with HarmonyOS Next.
Full Launch Imminent: Huawei is expected to officially launch HarmonyOS Next on September 24th, alongside new product announcements.
Implications:
Huawei’s Ecosystem: This move demonstrates Huawei’s commitment to building its own ecosystem, independent of Android and Google.
User Experience: The success of HarmonyOS Next will depend heavily on the quality and availability of native apps. The 10,000 app milestone is a positive sign, but it remains to be seen if it will satisfy users who are accustomed to the vast Android app library.
Market Impact: The success of HarmonyOS Next could potentially disrupt the dominance of Android in certain markets, particularly in China where Huawei has a strong presence.
Other Notable Developments:
Huawei Mate XT: Huawei recently unveiled the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, showcasing its continued innovation in hardware.
In essence, Huawei is taking a bold step with HarmonyOS Next by fully embracing its own operating system and app ecosystem. The success of this transition will depend on user adoption and developer support in the coming months.
The comments at the end of the article, “真屬實，此後科學研學的帖子基本就可以不更新了。唉，難難難,” express concern about the implications of this change, particularly for scientific research and study, suggesting that the transition may pose challenges for some users.
Ben Schoon | Sep 23 2024 - 10:40 am PT