Software:HarmonyOS NEXT

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HarmonyOS NEXT
HarmonyOSNEXTlogo
DeveloperHuawei
Written inC, C++, ArkTS and Cangjie [1]
OS familymodified OpenHarmony
Working stateIn Development
Source modelClosed, with open source components
Initial releaseAugust 4, 2023; 8 months ago (2023-08-04)
|Final preview|Latest preview}}HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview 1 (4.1/4.1.1 - Canary Build) / January 18, 2024[2]
Marketing targetInternet of Things, Edge computing, wireless routers, smartphones, tablet computers, smart TVs, smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart speakers, personal computers, mixed reality headsets, virtual reality headsets, wireless earbuds, wireless headphones, wearable devices, augmented reality headsets, smart printers, interactive whiteboards, E-readers, cars, smart homes, enterprise, industry, aerospace
Update methodOver-the-air
Package manager.app
Platforms64-bit ARM, RISC-V, x86, x64 and LoongArch[3]
Kernel typeHarmonyOS kernel (Microkernel)
UserlandSystem Service Layer[4]
Default user interfaceHarmonyOS Design (Design System) (multi-touch, GUI)
LicenseCommercial software, Proprietary software except for open-source components
Preceded byLiteOS, EMUI and Android
Official websitewww.harmonyos.com/en/

HarmonyOS NEXT is a core proprietary distributed operating system of HarmonyOS developed by Huawei aimed primarily for first-party, alongside third-party, software and hardware developers. Its first internal preview version was revealed on August 4, 2023, and first preview version was released to registered public developers on January 18, 2024.[5]

Built on a custom version of OpenHarmony, HarmonyOS NEXT proprietary system has the HarmonyOS microkernel at its core with a single framework, integrating LiteOS for resource-constrained devices like wearables and IoT products.[6]

Aimed to replace the multikernel HarmonyOS and departed from the common Unix-like Linux kernel, HarmonyOS NEXT supports only native HarmonyOS apps and does not support Android apk apps on mobile devices.[7]

History

On August 4, 2023, at Huawei Developers Conference 2023 (HDC), Huawei officially announced HarmonyOS NEXT, the next version of HarmonyOS, supporting only native APP apps via Ark Compiler with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) support.[8]

The kernel of HarmonyOS NEXT does not include the compatibility layer of AOSP framework with Android libraries from EMUI in the user space and cannot run Android apk apps natively, as is the case with the dual framework HarmonyOS.[9][10]

On August 4, 2023, the developer preview version of HarmonyOS NEXT was opened for cooperating enterprise developers, and on January 18, 2024, to the rest of developers to build and test native mobile apps. The beta version was expected to be launched in Q2 2024, and the commercial version to be made available in Q4 2024 for consumer HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition version.[11][12]

Software version history

HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition (Star River) [5.0.0 - OpenHarmony 5.0] (API version 12)

August 4, 2023 (API 9) OpenHarmony Developer Preview 1 for HarmonyOS NEXT internal cooperative developers, for native software development. January 2024 Developer Preview 1 public registered developers (API 10), Q2 Developer Beta (API 11), and Commercial (API 12) builds:

On January 18, 2024, at the HarmonyOS Developer event in China, Huawei announced that the second generation HarmonyOS operating system called HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition with custom OpenHarmony-based HarmonyOS NEXT system developer preview version is open for application development. HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition developer beta version of the program is due for Q2 launch for all unregistered public developers as the new HarmonyOS NEXT base is integrated into the OS replacing the old Multikernel base. Alongside, a commercial version for all users is to be released in Q4 on the commercial HarmonyOS baseline preview version, from the previous HarmonyOS 4.0 versioning requirement baseline OTA rollout on specific devices, alongside new factory devices shipped with the new OS.

The first batch of devices tested on HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview 1 are the Mate 60, Mate 60 Pro, and Mate X5 phones.[13]

Software Architecture and Framework Features

HarmonyOS NEXT Architecture
  • Native refinement of the system, application, fluency, security, intelligence, and native interconnection.
  • Full-stack, self-developed HarmonyOS NEXT core operating system integrated that includes:
    • AI model: PanGu-Σ
    • AI framework: MindSpore
    • Integrated Development Environment: DevEco Studio IDE and DevEco Testing
    • Design system: HarmonyOS Design
    • Programming framework: ArkUI / ArkUI-X (Cross Platform)
    • Compiler & Runtime: Ark Compiler, Bisheng Compiler and Ark Runtime
    • File system: EROFS/HMDFS distributed file system
  • Native in-house Cangjie programming language alongside ArkTS, superset of TypeScript as primary programming languages support for native HarmonyOS system and kernel
  • AOSP system and Linux kernel of EMUI system userland on System Service Layer removed from native compatibility on phones and tablets alongside some other devices
  • Primary HarmonyOS native app file package, APP for HarmonyOS apps only
  • Refined and primary native in-house Ark Engine multimedia API graphics stack system that comes with ArkGraphics 2D and ArkGraphics 3D with Cangjie support across all devices with developer access
  • Linux and LiteOS RTOS base on wearables, phones, tablets on System Service Layer replaced with self-developed HarmonyOS kernel, Microkernel architecture.
  • API 10, 11 features bundled
  • New API 12 features
  • HarmonyOS NEXT SDK with previous classic HarmonyOS SDK API levels, alongside standard OpenHarmony SDK support conglomerated in a complete and comprehensive in-house HarmonyOS SDK API 12
  • PC mode when keyboard used on MatePads and Huawei phones docked
  • Native PC support
  • Native HarmonyOS API apps adapted to PC support
  • Native AI computing API system features
  • OpenHarmony versioning baseline replaces the current HarmonyOS baseline versioning in line with OpenHarmony update version schedules reducing fragmentation post-convergence
  • Exclusive to in-house Kirin and HiSilicon chips optimisation and adaptation
  • New visual graphical interfaces based off Neumorphism and Glassmorphism design language trend, visual elements on HarmonyOS Design language system for Spatial computing
  • New Control Panel interface.
  • New and refined notification and lockscreen interface.
  • New volume control design.
  • New native File and Photos picker app and interface.
  • New bundled HarmonyOS native system apps.
  • Native HarmonyOS settings app and OTA system
  • Modified native Task Switcher interface for PC, phones, tablets and foldables
  • Native smart app background and foreground management system
  • Live Window UX improvements and developer APIs kit support for native third-party HarmonyOS apps
  • Native developer and app kits support
  • Native HMS Core ecosystem support with native upper-level HMS APIs framework
  • New native AppGallery app designed for installation of native HarmonyOS apps only.
  • New native Huawei Browser with a self-developed, in-house and custom ArkWeb browser engine for native Webview apps, from custom OpenHarmony CEF based nweb browser engine for native Webview apps.
  • Next generation NearLink 2.0 support
  • New Permission application system with AI and Capability-based security features on Core File Kit, departure from previous versions of HarmonyOS with AOSP framework
  • Advanced native multitasking and Task switching system
  • Continuity of applications between devices
  • Spatial computing support[14]

HarmonyOS NEXT compiled versions of its software versions in software development since August 4, 2023.

Software version History
Version number Release date API level Main features
HarmonyOS NEXT (3.1) Developer Preview 1 August 4, 2023 9 HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview version equipped with latest base technology, open capabilities, and development kits. The new version comes with HarmonyOS kernel. Huawei Ark graphics engine added. Phones and tablets are tested. Native HMS Core built inside. Internally released developer only software. [15]
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.0) Developer Preview 1 October 26, 2023 10 New graphical shells, including PC and tablet PC mode support.[16]
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.1/4.1.1 - Canary Build) Developer Preview 1 January 18, 2024 10-11 A large number of ArkTS APIs have been added, and the scope of distributed hardware support has been expanded. Improved new graphical shells. PC APIs added.[17]

See also

References

  1. Matsui, Emiko. "Huawei launches HarmonyOS NEXT Galaxy version for developers". HC Newsroom. https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-launches-harmonyos-next-galaxy-version-for-developers/. 
  2. Bhati, Kamlesh. "Huawei HarmonyOS NEXT Official Now: Bring Spatial Design and Vivid Color Concepts". Sparrowsnews.com. https://sparrowsnews.com/2024/01/18/huawei-harmonyos-next-official-now/amp/. 
  3. "OpenHarmony 3.0 successfully adapted Loongson 1C300B chip". 15 December 2021. https://www.huaweiupdate.com/openharmony-3-0-successfully-adapted-loongson-1c300b-chip/. 
  4. "HMOS Architecture". Application Library Engineering Group. 5 April 2021. https://medium.com/application-library-engineering-group/hmos-architecture-37f84252bf70. 
  5. "HarmonyOS NEXT is a pure HarmonyOS without Android apps and future of Huawei ecosystem" (in en-ZA). https://consumer.huawei.com/za/community/details/HarmonyOS-NEXT-is-a-pure-HarmonyOS-without-Android-apps-and-future-of-Huawei-ecosystem/topicId_277441/. 
  6. Miller, James (2024-01-22). "HarmonyOS NEXT Kernel: Can Huawei's New Engine Outclass the Mighty Linux?" (in en-US). https://pc-tablet.com/harmonyos-next-kernel-can-huaweis-new-engine-outclass-the-mighty-linux/. 
  7. "Huawei reveals HarmonyOS NEXT will be based on Harmony Kernel". https://www.gizmochina.com/2024/01/19/huawei-reveals-harmonyos-next-will-be-based-on-harmony-kernel/. 
  8. Amit (2023-09-25). "Huawei released HarmonyOS NEXT" (in en-US). https://www.huaweiupdate.com/huawei-released-harmonyos-next/. 
  9. Cañete, Patrick (2023-08-10). "HarmonyOS NEXT is a standalone HUAWEI OS without Android apps" (in en-US). https://www.noypigeeks.com/tech-news/harmonyos-next-without-android-apps/. 
  10. Abdullah (2024-01-19). "HarmonyOS NEXT introduced without a single line of Android code" (in en-US). https://www.gizchina.com/2024/01/19/harmonyos-next-introduced-without-a-single-line-of-android-code/. 
  11. Matsui, Emiko (2024-01-18). "HarmonyOS NEXT Galaxy stable rollout will begin in Q4 2024" (in en-US). https://www.huaweicentral.com/harmonyos-next-galaxy-stable-rollout-will-begin-in-q4-2024/. 
  12. "华为发布 HarmonyOS NEXT 鸿蒙星河版,开发者预览版开放申请 - IT之家". https://www.ithome.com/0/745/981.htm. 
  13. Emiko, Matsui. "Here are the HarmonyOS NEXT first developer beta batch devices". HC Newsroom. https://www.huaweicentral.com/here-are-the-harmonyos-next-first-developer-beta-batch-devices/. 
  14. Miao, Hao. "Huawei has released HarmonyOS NEXT HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition, and the developer preview version is open for application". IT Home. https://www.ithome.com/0/745/981.htm. 
  15. Bhati, Kamlesh. "HarmonyOS NEXT Hands-on Experience: Pure HarmonyOS Without AOSP". Sparrownews.com. https://sparrowsnews.com/2023/08/07/harmonyos-next-hands-on-experience/. 
  16. Sarkar, Amy. "HarmonyOS NEXT and HarmonyOS PC to shape a new direction for Huawei". HC Newsroom. https://www.huaweicentral.com/harmonyos-next-and-harmonyos-pc-to-shape-a-new-direction-for-huawei/. 
  17. "Huawei releases preview version of updated HarmonyOS Next as it accelerates shift away from Android". South China Morning Post. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/huawei-releases-preview-version-updated-093000031.html. 

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