Huawei’s HarmonyOS- All You Need To Know

Why has Huawei developed HarmonyOS, a distributed OS for devices?

The future-proof HarmonyOS, with a clear strategy for the future, has been in the works of Huawei for a decade. It is an OS that Huawei expects to align the ecosystems for all scenarios. HarmonyOS aims to be compatible with any device in the fully-connected, all-scenario, intelligent world, such as smart wearables, smart home devices (HUAWEI Vision), vehicle-mounted devices, and connected industrial equipment (Industry 4.0).
HarmonyOS is a new microkernel-based, distributed OS for all scenarios. It is made for all scenarios and is
characterized by service synergy covering multiple devices, as well as low latency and high security, among others. It has a different purpose compared to Android and iOS. We are not building another Linux, Android, or iOS. We are building the next-generation OS for the future.

Why did Huawei choose to unveil HarmonyOS at this point of time?

Is it because Google had stopped providing its Android services to Huawei devices? First, the rapid development of technologies such as 5G and AI has spurred the boom in IoT. Second, Huawei has made it clear that an all-scenario, intelligent life strategy will be its core strategy in the next 5-10 years. Therefore, a new OS is necessary for meeting the needs and coping with the challenges presented in the all-scenario era.

What is HarmonyOS? Its core technologies and value in detail.

HarmonyOS is a new microkernel-based, distributed OS for all scenarios, mainly targeted for smart devices such as wearables, HUAWEI Vision, and head units. It is a global and open-source operating system.

HarmonyOS has the following four basic features (or capabilities):

First, it enables multiple devices to share and enhance each other’s hardware capabilities. Each individual physical device’s hardware capabilities are no longer isolated. Instead, the hardware in one device is capable of complementing and empowering the other device.

Second, the OS is decoupled from hardware. It can be flexibly deployed on different devices based on each device’s hardware capabilities in order to maximize the potential of each device.

Third, the integrated development environment (IDE) allows one-time development and cross-device deployment of a service. It will dramatically boost development efficiency, enable developers to quickly innovate services for all scenarios, and reach more users with lower investments.

Fourth, the Deterministic Latency Engine, high-performance IPC, and HUAWEI ARK Compiler ensure that the OS can run smoothly. The microkernel architecture boosts device reliability and security.

How many technologies entailed in HarmonyOS have been developed by Huawei?

The development of the kernel, scheduling, system services, file system, IDE, and compiler for HarmonyOS required considerable effort. Huawei boasts a lot of software technologies, such as the microkernel, distributed architecture, distributed virtual bus, device virtualization, Deterministic Latency Engine, and HUAWEI ARK Compiler for HarmonyOS.

In addition, Huawei provides an IDE for development targeted at multiple devices, helping developers quickly
develop apps and dramatically increase development efficiency.

What is the relationship between HarmonyOS and EMUI?

EMUI and HarmonyOS are two independent operating systems. EMUI is a customized system that is developed
based on Android and is applicable to Huawei smartphones and tablets. The two are independent of each other, but as operating systems both developed by Huawei, they share some technological features and resources.

What is the relationship between HarmonyOS and Android?

HarmonyOS is completely different from Android and iOS. It is a new microkernel-based, distributed OS for all
scenarios. It delivers a seamless experience across all devices in the all-scenario, intelligent era. The source code of HarmonyOS will be open to worldwide developers, which will be beneficial for the entire society. HarmonyOS will not be competing with Android.

What is the relationship between HarmonyOS and LiteOS – a smart home system previously launched by
Huawei?

Launched in 2015, LiteOS is a lightweight IoT operating system that has been applied to the HUAWEI Watch GT and will be merged with HarmonyOS for development in the future.