HarmonyOS Archives

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Tencent

Tencent has begun beta testing a new search function in Weixin, China's largest messaging app, powered by DeepSeek. Users can select an "AI Search" option in the search bar, utilizing both DeepSeek and Tencent's Hunyuan foundational model. This feature is exclusive to Weixin and not available on WeChat. The DeepSeek-R1 model, launched on January 20, offers advanced reasoning capabilities at lower training costs compared to AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Approximately 1.3 billion active Weixin users will benefit from this integration for various functions. Users can observe the reasoning process during queries, and DeepSeek-R1 has also been integrated into Tencent's AI chatbot application, Yuanbao. Chinese telecom operators have started using DeepSeek's models, and smartphone manufacturers like Huawei, Oppo, Honor, and Vivo are adopting the DeepSeek-R1 model in their devices.

BetaBeacon

December 12, 2024

Epic Games Store Will Now Come Preinstalled In Some Android Phones And Devices

Epic Games and Telefónica have announced a partnership to make Fortnite and the Epic Games Store more accessible on Telefónica Android devices in several countries. This deal could pave the way for Xbox Games to be available on their Android Xbox app as well.

AppWizard

December 9, 2024

Surprise! Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT can run Android apps

Huawei has introduced HarmonyOS NEXT, an operating system that operates independently of Android and is designed to run only native applications. However, a workaround allows users to access Android apps through an emulator called "EasyAbroad," available in Huawei's AppGallery. All devices launching in 2025, including the Mate 70 series, will come pre-installed with HarmonyOS NEXT, which is currently in public beta testing. The "EasyAbroad" emulator enables users to install popular Android applications such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Google Search, Google Maps, Chrome, Gmail, Disney Plus, and Netflix (in SD quality only). The emulator includes its own app store but does not allow users to create individual app icons for the installed apps on their home screens. There may be limitations regarding notifications and alerts for these Android applications. The emulator operates smoothly, aided by microG, an open-source implementation of Google libraries that substitutes Google Play Services. Huawei's shift towards developing HarmonyOS began after being placed on the Entity List in 2019, which cut off its access to U.S. supply chains, including Google.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

Huawei users found a new way to run Android apps in HarmonyOS NEXT

A beta tester discovered that Huawei's HarmonyOS NEXT can run Android applications through an emulator called "EzsyAbroad." This emulator allows users to access Android apps on HarmonyOS NEXT devices, particularly useful for those needing Google Mobile Services while traveling outside China. It operates within a separate container and provides its own app store, where popular applications like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google Search, Google Maps, Chrome, Gmail, Disney Plus, and Netflix can be downloaded. Performance tests indicate that Android applications run smoothly, although some may not be compatible, and the emulator supports microG, which limits certain functionalities. Users cannot move the applications from the emulator's folder to other locations on the device.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Huawei’s Mate 70 smartphones will run its new Android-free OS

Huawei has launched the Mate 70 series, which includes the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro Plus, and Mate 70 RS, featuring the new HarmonyOS Next that is not compatible with Android apps. The Mate 70 has a 6.7-inch display, 5,300mAh battery, 66W fast charging, and a camera setup with a 50MP main camera. It starts at 5,499 yuan for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. The Mate 70 Pro offers Wi-Fi 7 and enhanced satellite communication, starting at 6,499 yuan. The Mate 70 Pro Plus has upgraded camera sensors and starts at 8,499 yuan. The Mate 70 RS features premium materials and starts at 11,999 yuan. The specific processors used in the Mate 70 series have not been disclosed, but previous models used chips from China's SMIC. Additionally, Huawei introduced the Mate X6 foldable smartphone with a 7.93-inch internal display and a 6.45-inch external display. It features a 50MP main camera, 48MP telephoto periscope camera, and 40MP ultra-wide camera. The standard model has 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 5,110mAh battery, priced at 12,999 yuan. A collector’s edition with 16GB of RAM and a 5,200mAh battery will be available for 14,999 yuan.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

Huawei’s new made-in-China software takes on Apple and Android

Huawei is set to unveil its Mate 70 smartphone this month, which will feature advanced semiconductors indicative of China's progress in domestic chip production. The device will also introduce HarmonyOS NEXT, marking a significant shift towards technological self-sufficiency and a departure from Western-supported systems. This launch aims to redefine user experience and strengthen China's position in the global tech landscape.

AppWizard

October 23, 2024

Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT launch marks a divorce from Android

Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS NEXT, marking a shift away from the Android ecosystem. Public beta testing has started for select smartphones and tablets using Kirin and Kunpeng chips. This version does not support Android applications, emphasizing Huawei's goal of creating a self-sufficient platform. Notable native apps for HarmonyOS NEXT include Meituan, Douyin, Taobao, Xiaohongshu, Alipay, and JD.com, with over 15,000 native applications and meta-services launched. HarmonyOS NEXT features 110 million lines of code, a 30% performance enhancement, and extends battery life by an average of 56 minutes while freeing up about 1.5GB of memory. Currently, Huawei has no plans to introduce HarmonyOS NEXT outside of China. The launch signifies a step towards technological independence, as previous versions relied on the Android Open Source Project due to US sanctions. Huawei aims to extend HarmonyOS to personal computers, planning to phase out Windows, though timelines and adoption by other PC manufacturers are uncertain.

AppWizard

October 14, 2024

Huawei Mate 70 rumored to come in HarmonyOS NEXT and Android app support versions

The upcoming Huawei Mate 70 series is expected to adopt a dual-framework approach, supporting both HarmonyOS NEXT and Android applications. This design will allow users to operate seamlessly within both frameworks, catering to both self-developed HarmonyOS NEXT apps and Android applications. The Mate 70 series aims to broaden its appeal by potentially launching globally, unlike the Mate 60 models which were not available in international markets. Users will have the flexibility to run Android applications while also benefiting from HarmonyOS NEXT apps. The anticipated release of the Mate 70 series is projected for mid to late November, with speculation suggesting that the delay may be due to software optimization efforts.

Winsage

September 26, 2024

Huawei will replace Windows with homegrown HarmonyOS in upcoming PCs

Huawei plans to transition from Windows to HarmonyOS as its primary operating system for PCs, with the next generation of computers set to feature HarmonyOS Next by the end of 2024. The current lineup of PCs will be the last to use Microsoft's operating system. HarmonyOS Next will be a microkernel-based system, no longer incorporating AOSP code or Android compatibility, and will support its own native applications. Huawei accounts for approximately 10 percent of the 40 million PCs sold annually in China, competing primarily with Lenovo and HP. Despite significant investment, HarmonyOS Next faces challenges in user adoption and app availability, with limited gaming applications and developer support. Chinese state media claims over 10,000 apps and services are available on HarmonyOS, with clients like the Shanghai municipal government developing native applications.

AppWizard

September 23, 2024

Huawei announces 10,000 apps support ‘HarmonyOS Next’ after blocking Android apps

Huawei has fully transitioned to its proprietary operating system, HarmonyOS, eliminating the ability to install Android applications. The company has developed over 10,000 applications for HarmonyOS, addressing 99.9% of consumers' usage needs. Huawei is set to officially launch this new platform on September 24, alongside new products, including the Mate XT, the world's first tri-fold smartphone.