Huawei has recently introduced its latest operating system for consumer laptops, named HarmonyOS Next. This launch marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing efforts to create a cohesive ecosystem of products, reminiscent of Apple’s integrated approach. With HarmonyOS Next, Huawei aims to empower users with cross-platform capabilities, a notable advancement for the tech giant.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS-Next Is Expected To Be Limited To Modern Laptops & Won’t Feature Backward Compatibility
As Huawei continues to innovate across various sectors, including artificial intelligence and consumer computing, the new operating system is designed exclusively for the company’s latest laptop models. Unfortunately, this means that older Huawei devices will not be compatible with HarmonyOS Next, as the company has chosen not to include backward compatibility.
Among the standout features of HarmonyOS Next is its AI-driven functionality, highlighted by the presence of Celia, Huawei’s dedicated AI assistant. Celia is capable of performing a range of tasks, such as creating presentations, enhancing user productivity. Additionally, the operating system comes pre-installed with essential applications, including WPS Office, ensuring that users have the tools they need right out of the box.
Visually, HarmonyOS Next draws inspiration from Apple’s macOS, featuring a software shortcut bar at the bottom of the screen. However, a notable limitation of this new OS is its restriction on sideloading applications. Users will need to rely on Huawei’s native “App Gallery” to access software, a strategy that mirrors the company’s approach with its mobile devices. This move appears to be aimed at encouraging Chinese consumers to shift away from dependence on Western software solutions.
While the inability to sideload applications may raise concerns among power users accustomed to the flexibility of traditional desktop environments, Huawei’s focus on the specific needs of Chinese consumers suggests that this limitation may not pose a significant barrier for its target audience.
