In a significant shift for its mobile ecosystem, Huawei has taken a decisive step by fully transitioning to its proprietary operating system, HarmonyOS. This latest update has effectively eliminated the ability to install Android applications, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s journey toward independence from Google’s software framework. However, this transition comes with the assurance of a robust library of applications tailored for the new platform.
Initially, HarmonyOS was perceived as a mere modification of Android, but Huawei has diligently worked to evolve it into a self-sufficient operating system. Despite the challenges posed by the absence of Google services, including the Play Store, users have had the option to sideload applications. This flexibility is now coming to an end as Huawei focuses on enhancing its own ecosystem.
Developer Engagement and Application Ecosystem
In preparation for this transition, Huawei has actively engaged developers to build a comprehensive suite of applications for HarmonyOS Next. According to a recent press release, the company proudly announced that over 10,000 applications are now available on the updated platform, effectively addressing “99.9% of consumers’ usage time needs.”
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.
Anticipation and New Product Launches
As anticipation builds, Huawei is set to officially launch this new platform on September 24, coinciding with the unveiling of new products. Among these innovations is the Mate XT, touted as the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, showcasing Huawei’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile technology.
With this strategic pivot, Huawei aims to carve out a unique identity in the competitive smartphone market, relying on its own ecosystem to meet the evolving demands of consumers.