Huawei’s recent shift in strategy marks a significant pivot in the technology landscape. According to Yu Chengdong, chair of the Chinese giant’s consumer business group, the company’s current lineup of PCs will be the last to support Windows. Future devices will instead be powered by HarmonyOS, Huawei’s proprietary operating system. In a revealing interview, Yu highlighted the upcoming HarmonyOS Next, which boasts an entirely new kernel developed independently of Linux and will not support Android applications. Huawei is positioning this OS as a solution that promises enhanced performance and security.
While this move may seem bold, it is unlikely to significantly impact Microsoft, as analyst firm Canalys estimates that Huawei commands about ten percent of China’s annual PC market, which totals around 40 million units. Lenovo leads the market with a commanding 38 percent share, followed by HP at ten percent. The competitive landscape suggests that neither Lenovo nor HP has a vested interest in adopting Huawei’s OS at this time. However, shifts in patriotic sentiment or government preferences for domestic technology could alter this dynamic in the future.
Currently, HarmonyOS faces challenges, particularly in garnering support from major software vendors, notably in the gaming sector.
Indian Government’s Fact-Checking Plan Nixed
In a notable legal development, the Bombay High Court ruled against India’s proposed government-run fact-checking unit, deeming it unconstitutional. The initiative was intended to combat the spread of misinformation but faced backlash for its potential to facilitate censorship.
GoTo Follows Alibaba Cloud Partnership with Tencent Cloud Tie-Up
In a strategic move, Indonesian superapp GoTo has expanded its cloud partnerships, recently signing a long-term agreement with Tencent Cloud, just a week after collaborating with Alibaba Cloud. This five-year partnership aims to provide GoTo with a comprehensive suite of cloud infrastructure solutions and digital services. By leveraging Tencent Cloud’s technology and Platform as a Service offerings, GoTo seeks to enhance its ecosystem, improve enterprise solutions, and elevate user experience through collaboration with Tencent’s service and architecture experts.
Singapore Banks Mandate Facial Authentication
In a bid to combat rising scams, Singapore’s Monetary Authority and the Association of Banks have announced the mandatory implementation of facial authentication in higher-risk scenarios. This initiative will utilize the government-operated Singpass identity service to bolster security measures.
Fukushima Datacenter Boom
Fukushima Prefecture, long associated with the 2011 nuclear incident, is now witnessing a surge in datacenter construction. Reports from Nikkei indicate that three groups are planning to establish datacenters in the region, some intended to support AI workloads using Nvidia technology. The area’s abundant renewable energy resources are attracting investors, promising competitive pricing for local datacenters.
In related news, China has lifted its ban on Japanese seafood, following assurances that wastewater discharges from Fukushima pose no health risks.
Mongolia Chuffed by Digital Transformation Progress
The Mongolian government recently celebrated its ranking of 46th in the 2024 United Nations E-Government Survey, marking a significant leap of 28 places since 2022. Chief Cabinet Secretary Uchral Nyam-Osor highlighted that approximately 75 percent of Mongolian adults now find it easier to access government services through the E-Mongolia platform. The country has also made strides in expanding high-speed internet access and enhancing digital skills among its citizens. The top ten positions in the UN index are held by Denmark, Estonia, Singapore, South Korea, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and others.