Most Huawei products to use own HarmonyOS next year amid US ban: source
Global Times
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Huawei Technologies Co unveils its much-anticipated in-house operating system HarmonyOS on Friday. (Photo: IC)

With the exception of handsets, tablets, and computers, all Huawei terminal products will be equipped with the company's HarmonyOS next year, and they will be promoted simultaneously at home and abroad amid the US ban on the Chinese telecom solutions provider, a source close to Huawei confirmed with the Global Times on Monday.

HarmonyOS will become open source in August next year, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported, citing Wang Chenglu, president of the Huawei consumer business group's software division.

Huawei has been in the spotlight due to a US trade ban that since May has restricted it from buying technologies or parts from US-based companies, including Google's Android services. Shortly after the ban was imposed, Huawei released its HarmonyOS in August.

According to media reports, the latest Huawei Mate 30 smartphone has eliminated all US-made parts. The upcoming Huawei P40 could be its first smartphone that's equipped with HarmonyOS.

Huawei's founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei said in a recent media interview that Huawei could solve its supply problems without the US and that the US Entity List would only harm American companies.

Along with the comprehensive promotion of its self-developed OS, Wang also noted that Android would still be a preferential choice for Huawei handsets, according to the report.

He introduced the latest generation of Huawei's handset OS, EMUI 10, which was developed based on Android and can enable multi-screen collaboration -- among other functions.

"Huawei cellphones are now primarily connected with the company's own products, but they will be able to connect with terminal products of any other brands," Wang said.

After a long preparation, Huawei has no problem in promoting its own OS, Ma Jihua, a veteran industry analyst, told the Global Times on Monday.

Given that the era of the Internet of Things has come, it is difficult for one OS to occupy an entire market. However, as one of the major players, the HarmonyOS could get opportunities from the comprehensive upgrading of various devices from 4G to 5G, Ma noted.

Challenges remain as the successful development of the OS also depends on continued strong support in the form of final product sales and the cultivation of a sound ecosystem, Ma said.