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"HarmonyOS Disrupts Android and Apple's iOS"
In the latter half of 2023, Google took aim at Hongmeng (Harmony), prompting a direct retaliation from Huawei. Foreign media outlets find themselves unable to impede this development. Prior to the ascendancy of the Hongmeng system, the global mobile landscape was dominated by two primary operating systems: Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. Both tech giants have reaped substantial revenue and profits due to their expansive user bases. A lingering query arises: With Apple’s closed system and lack of licensing, how does it generate revenue?
Huawei's HarmonyOS and HMS Challenge Android and GMS
As is well known, Google pays Apple $20 billion annually to have its search engine as the default on Apple’s Safari browser, given Apple’s massive user base of 1.8 billion active devices.
Google’s ad revenue from this arrangement surpasses the $20 billion mark. However, Google’s unilateral decision to cease support for Huawei’s system and Google Mobile Services (GMS) has inadvertently forced the emergence of a formidable competitor. With Apple’s closed-loop iOS system and Huawei’s strong development of HarmonyOS and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), the direct threat posed by Google’s Android and GMS is not yet significant.
Huawei previously used Google’s Android and GMS until Google actively cut off support due to pressure from the US. This move initially caused a collapse in Huawei’s overseas smartphone market, but under pressure, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS and HMS. Subsequently, both HarmonyOS and HMS made significant advancements.
Currently, the total number of devices running HarmonyOS has exceeded 321 million, with over 250 million ecosystem devices upgraded at a record pace. It is considered the fastest-growing mobile operating system in history, positioned against Google’s GMS by Huawei’s HMS.
Before the decoupling of HarmonyOS and Google, the app downloads for HarmonyOS had already surpassed 645 billion times. With the rapid growth of HarmonyOS and HMS, Google became uneasy and took multiple actions, yielding little effect.
Subsequently, Google emailed app developers with new requirements. Google clearly stated that applications published on the Google Play Store must not include Huawei’s HMS SDK. Otherwise, after 120 days, all related applications will be directly removed. This move aims to simplify the app development process, as some developers integrate both Google GMS and Huawei HMS SDKs in their apps to be available on both Google and Huawei app stores simultaneously.
Google’s decision to implement this move against HarmonyOS has indeed created some challenges for developers. The requirement to develop two sets of apps simultaneously has sparked discontent among developers. However, Google has its own justifications for this decision. As apps are being uploaded to Google’s app store, it is reasonable for Google to prohibit the inclusion of a competitor’s SDK.
Regarding the agreements signed by developers, strict adherence is imperative. Google’s decision stems from the rapid growth of HarmonyOS, posing a threat to Android’s dominance. Prohibiting the integration of Huawei’s HMS SDK aims to heighten the complexity for developers in creating HarmonyOS applications. This action garnered extensive coverage in the international media, indirectly promoting HarmonyOS.
This action garnered extensive coverage in the international media, indirectly promoting HarmonyOS. It is increasingly evident to the global audience that HarmonyOS stands apart from Android with significant advantages. Media speculates that Huawei’s unstoppable momentum with HarmonyOS is challenging for both Android and Google. Huawei is no longer passive in response to Google’s actions but swiftly counteracts.
With established strength, HarmonyOS and HMS are steadily emerging as the third-largest mobile operating system globally. Users attempting to download Google GMS receive notifications that HarmonyOS temporarily does not support Google services framework, exposing the rivalry between the two. HarmonyOS is making significant strides worldwide, enlisting Europe’s largest open-source organization to intensify international market competition, posing a challenge to Google’s Android ecosystem.
Once chip challenges are resolved, HarmonyOS and HMS will further solidify their position as trendsetters.
The Wide Attention and Discussion Sparked by Huawei's HarmonyOS System
Ever since the launch of the Huawei HarmonyOS system, it has sparked widespread debate and discussion. There is controversy surrounding whether it is simply a repackaging of Android, with some believing that HarmonyOS leverages Android AOSP code for compatibility. Despite in-depth analysis by professionals, the debate on whether HarmonyOS is a “shell” of Android continues.
Recent news indicates that Huawei will completely remove all Android-related code from HarmonyOS, moving towards a path of fully independent development. This not only reduces Huawei’s reliance on U.S. technology but also showcases China’s technological independence. The high compatibility of HarmonyOS offers new possibilities for seamless interaction among smart home devices.
Additionally, Google has implemented certain restrictions in response to HarmonyOS’ rise, highlighting Huawei’s increasing market influence. In this context, HarmonyOS not only poses a potential threat to Android but also serves as a technological barrier for Huawei to break free from U.S. restrictions.
Huawei recently announced its abandonment of the Android system in favor of embracing the self-developed HarmonyOS, a decision that has garnered significant global attention. With its outstanding compatibility, HarmonyOS has the capability to tightly connect various household devices and enable seamless collaborative operations. Notably, this development does not pertain to the HarmonyOS 5.0 version but rather to the upcoming HarmonyOS Next within the HarmonyOS project.
The HarmonyOS Next version was released to partner developers on August 6, 2023, with a full rollout to all developers planned for the first quarter of 2024.
HarmonyOS Next aims to completely detach from any ties to Android code and AOSP to ensure full autonomy. By eliminating AOSP code, this version will no longer support Android applications, only HarmonyOS applications. Additionally, the removal of AOSP code will reduce redundancy by 40%, significantly enhancing system smoothness, efficiency, cleanliness, and security performance.
Huawei’s strategic decisions have reverberated across the industry, prompting a response from tech giant Google. Due to the increasing prominence of HarmonyOS technology, Google has decided to cease providing software updates and network security services to Huawei. These developments highlight Huawei’s continued influence in the global tech arena.
HarmonyOS not only challenges Android but also signifies Huawei’s strategic initiative to gradually break free from U.S. technology restrictions.
The introduction of HarmonyOS has sparked a reevaluation of Google’s market dominance, as HarmonyOS has surpassed Google’s FusureOS.
Huawei's HarmonyOS Challenges Google, Surpasses 4 Billion Users
Notably, by the second half of 2023, HarmonyOS has amassed a user base of four billion, solidifying its position in surpassing Google. Google swiftly replaced FusureOS with Starnix to keep up with developments.
However, beneath Google’s rapid actions lies a looming crisis: the rapid advancement of Huawei’s HarmonyOS is widening the gap between the two tech giants.
The evolution of Huawei’s HarmonyOS reflects the enhancement of China’s technological prowess, intensifying the competition with international tech giants like Google.
The rise of the HarmonyOS ecosystem has propelled intense technological competition between China and the United States, ushering in a phase of heightened rivalry.
The trajectory of HarmonyOS’s development holds significant importance, shaping the direction of Huawei and the broader Chinese tech industry. Undoubtedly, the emergence of Huawei’s HarmonyOS signifies a significant growth in China’s technological strength and stands as a successful example of independent innovation.
Through HarmonyOS, Huawei not only breaks free from reliance on U.S. technology but also expands its global market share. Furthermore, HarmonyOS poses a major challenge to Western tech giants like Google in their monopolistic positions, prompting them to accelerate the pace of technology development.
However, with the rise of HarmonyOS, a changing competitive environment and new challenges have emerged. Facing major companies like Google and Apple, Huawei must continuously innovate and enhance customer experience to ensure HarmonyOS maintains a sustainable competitive advantage.
Simultaneously, Huawei must collaborate closely with high-tech companies worldwide to enhance its technological ecosystem, establishing a stronger global competitiveness.
Additionally, facing potential challenges if HarmonyOS is not compatible with Android, as it may rely solely on its ecosystem. With limited native HarmonyOS applications currently available, many manufacturers may prefer to continue using Android applications.
The ability of HarmonyOS to meet user needs without Android compatibility remains to be further validated. While theoretically, developers may be compelled to develop HarmonyOS applications if it is not compatible with Android, their actual willingness to do so is uncertain. Historically, Microsoft’s efforts with Windows Phone, despite considerable support and subsidies, ultimately failed. Developing a system is easier than building an ecosystem, as highlighted by industry professionals. Some express skepticism about HarmonyOS’s eventual use in smartphones, indicating potential challenges in this regard.
At present, HarmonyOS 4.0 rivals Android and iOS systems, particularly excelling in application recovery rates. According to test data, iOS has an application recovery rate of 31.8%, while HarmonyOS boasts a remarkable 95.5% recovery rate, placing it at a significant advantage.
Furthermore, HarmonyOS 4.0 has upgraded NearLink Star Flash and Ark engines, significantly improving performance, connectivity speed, power consumption, battery life, and smoothness. Huawei’s HarmonyOS does not shy away from comparisons with iOS systems. As a domestic mobile operating system, HarmonyOS has indeed achieved a remarkable turnaround.
The Impact and Evolution of Huawei's HarmonyOS System
Overall, individuals who have used smartphones with three systems believe HarmonyOS not only matches iOS in smoothness but also surpasses Android in usability, providing an enhanced interconnected experience. For professionals and business users, HarmonyOS showcases practicality.
The emergence of Huawei’s HarmonyOS heralds a new era in China’s technological development, profoundly impacting the global technological landscape. However, technological progress knows no bounds. Thus, Huawei must continue to innovate persistently to embrace new challenges and opportunities in a continuously evolving state of advancement.