By: US revokes Intel, Qualcomm’s export licenses to sell to China’s Huawei, sources say – OSAlert
[…] ones, combined with the only mobile operating system that has any serious potential to at least somewhat threaten Android and iOS. The various sanctions were clearly intended to hurt Huawei and possibly contain it to just China, […]
By: atrocia
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/02/harmonyos-hands-on-huaweis-android-killer-is-just-android/" rel="nofollow ugc">According to Ars Technica</a>, HarmonyOS, at least as of "Version 2," is by no means a "third alternative" to Android and iOS, but basically just Android, with Google's proprietary stuff and the name "Android" removed. (I have no direct knowledge of this, and I do not know the extent to which it may have diverged from Android since then.)
By: Squizzler
In reply to <a href="https://www.osnews.com/story/139424/the-only-viable-android-and-ios-competitor-intends-to-leave-china-and-go-global/#comment-10438923">AndrewZ</a>.
It's a mobile phone OS and is easier to use on a touchscreen than desktop OS like DOS or Amiga.
Well you did ask :)
By: sukru
In reply to <a href="https://www.osnews.com/story/139424/the-only-viable-android-and-ios-competitor-intends-to-leave-china-and-go-global/#comment-10438873">Geck</a>.
Geck,
Not sure they can do that, if TikTok refuses to sell, and there is a Federal ban on the social network.
(Unless of course they also want to be subject to the same ban).
By: AndrewZ
I would ask the question, what problems does HarmonyOS solve that the other OSs don't solve??
By: Squizzler
Another emerging competitor might prove to be Genode - its equally sophisticated as Google's moribund Fuchsia - and open source unlike this so-called Harmony.
Whilst OSAlert will probably announce in the next day or so, the new Sculpt (desktop distro) is just released, go to genode.org to try it out!
By: jgfenix
It seems they will be using the "Cangjie programming language".
<blockquote>
Cangjie syntax reflects the construction of Chinese characters, using strokes, radicals and components to represent programming constructs. Variables, functions and control flow are expressed using combinations of character elements, creating a visually distinctive and intuitive programming experience for Chinese speakers. In addition, Cangjie incorporates elements of traditional calligraphy, emphasizing the aesthetic aspect of code development.
Despite its niche status, Cangjie offers unique features that set it apart from traditional programming languages. Its close alignment with the structure of Chinese characters enables programmers to communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision. Moreover, Cangjie promotes cultural appreciation and linguistic diversity in programming, fostering a deeper connection between technology and Chinese heritage.
</blockquote>
By: tanishaj
In reply to <a href="https://www.osnews.com/story/139424/the-only-viable-android-and-ios-competitor-intends-to-leave-china-and-go-global/#comment-10438877">Bill Shooter of Bul</a>.
Tizen is still kicking and in fact there was a new release earlier this month ( Tizen 5.6 ). That said, it does not seem to be used anywhere outside of Samgsung TVs. They sell a lot of those so it is not as niche as it sounds but it is hard to see it going anywhere. It does not seem to be an important part of Samsung's forward plans. My guess is that the team responsible for it is pretty small.
I have never really played with it but it is interesting. The dev environment is .NET based I believe.
By: tanishaj
In reply to <a href="https://www.osnews.com/story/139424/the-only-viable-android-and-ios-competitor-intends-to-leave-china-and-go-global/#comment-10438875">CavemanGR</a>.
Has that certification been extended? It expires in 2 months. Also, it is specifically for HongMeng 1.2 which was basically Android. What Huawei is cooking with HarmonyOS NEXT seems quite different. I will be very surprised to see any NATO certifications for that.
By: tanishaj
I believe Huawei was the 3rd best selling phone maker globally until the US took action against them. That is firmly Xiaomi now. Outside of the US, Huawei remains popular though. China is hardly their only market.
The move to a proprietary OS surprises me somewhat and does raise security concerns. I fully expected China to get around most of its technology restriction problems through the use of Open Source. I expect them to bet heavily on RISC-V for the same reasons.
It is hard to see Huawei toppling Android with their current market share. However, they have a strong enough position that an Open Source OS from them would have at least a shot at becoming the preferred alternative for other smartphone makers. With Google doing more and more to move Android in a proprietary direction themselves ( via Google Services ), I can imagine an appetite to form a coalition around something more open.
What does another proprietary OS offer though? Even in China, I think Xiaomi outsells them. They certainly do in Asia overall and of course the rest of world. Nobody other than Samsung or Apple matters in the US and even Samsung is quite far behind. A proprietary OS from Huawei will do very little to change that.
By: Bill Shooter of Bul
I think the security issue is really going to be an issue for me personally. No offence, and not really tied to its Chinese origin, but Its a new Operating system that hasn't had much vetting outside of that NATO one linked above which is pretty funny. It sounds really neat, and I tip my hat to the many many engineers in China that labored tirelessly to get it to the market and have it be as competitive with Apple as it is. Maybe some day.
Also, forgot to include the wonderous Tizen OS, and firefox os for niche systems with major backing that flopped. But touched at the inclusion of the Plasma OS as a phone/tablet os.... That's my all time favorite. It was great and terrible. Mostly terrible, but also could have been great.
By: CavemanGR
Fun fact: Harmony OS is NATO Certified by the Dutch Government (Here is the certificate: https://www.commoncriteriaportal.org/files/epfiles/Signed%20certificate%20CC-19-217235.pdf ) for use by all the member-states.
No Android distro is certified. (Nor is iOS)
That means all NATO documents are allowed to view on Huawei tablets but no Apple or Android devices. Epic bureaucracy.
By: Geck
If it will have TikTok pre-installed i assume it will sell well in US, especially if Apple and Google will remove TikTok from their markets.