Huawei's HarmonyOS, Not Anymore Exclusive To Huawei Devices

08/04/2021

No Chinese company can be safe from the U.S. trade sanction. And Huawei is one of the few that knows this very well.

Ever since the U.S. administration put an export ban on Chinese companies, Huawei as one of the largest, has experienced continuous threats to its mobile business, especially since many parts of its products, both hardware and software, come from the U.S.

Huawei has been making claims that it didn't really need Android, and could start its own operating system if it needed to.

It was during this time that the company announced 'HarmonyOS', its very first home-grown mobile operating system that can operate without depending on Google's Android.

For years since then, the Chinese manufacturing giant works on the operating system, improving it in the hopes to free itself from Google's grip.

HarmonyOS

Huawei aims to do this using what it calls the Huawei Mobile Services. Or also called HMS, it's Huawei's replacement for Google Mobile Services (GMS).

Ever since Huawei lost access to GMS, the Chinese company's develops the HMS as a core service for its devices that couldn't use Google's version of Android.

There have been reports that HarmonyOS will focus on the Internet of Things. This effectively promotes Internet of Things connectivity. But since HarmonyOS is an open-source project just like Android, Huawei opens the chance for other manufacturers to use the operating system.

And this chance couldn't arrive at a better time.

Since the U.S. placed its sanctions, Chinese companies are becoming increasingly uncomfortable in using U.S. products. As a result, a number of Chinese companies are starting to see Huawei's solution as an alternative.

And here, Meizu becomes the first to place an interest in adopting Huawei's HarmonyOS.

According to a staff member of Huawei @秋叶梓洛 (Akiba Ziluo), “Meizu will access Huawei’s HMS Core service capabilities. Meizu devices will provide support for users who integrate HMS Core through Huawei Mobile Service”.

Meizu 18 Pro
The 18 Pro, the smartphone from Meizu that was launched in March 2021. The phone is powered by Android 10 out of the box, with Flyme 9 skin on top of it. (Credit: GSMArena)

While Meizu is the first, many other Chinese manufacturers are watching the progress of HarmonyOS. But before any of them can use HarmonyOS, there are more works to be done.

At this time, the operating system is only built for Huawei's devices. But with a shift in strategy, Huawei released the HarmonyOS Beta3.0 for developers.

According to reports, the version has a 'super terminal' function, which allows users to automatically connect to all nearby Huawei mobile phones, batteries, tablets, speakers, computers, and cameras. But not just that, as it also allows users to connect to other smart devices that also use HarmonyOS.

The reports suggest that the feature is part of Huawei’s “multi-end collaboration and multi-end circulation” feature in the HarmonyOS.

As for Meizu, reports said that the manufacturer is getting ready for its first taste of HarmonyOS through HMS Core version 5.0, which has capabilities that cover seven areas, including App Services, Graphics, Media, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Device, Security, and System..

It should be noted that at this time, it is unknown if Meizu is actually planning on using Huawei’s proprietary services.

At this date, both companies have yet to make any official announce about this news.

Further reading: Apple's IPhone 12 Is The Best Smartphone In The World, Said Huawei CEO