NEWS  Smartphones  November 21, 2023  Reading time: ~1 minute)

Max (RS editor)

In a recent announcement, Huawei introduced its eagerly anticipated HarmonyOS Next, signaling a radical shift in the mobile landscape. Notably, the revelation stirred a wave of uncertainty among Huawei device owners worldwide, as CEO Richard Yu disclosed a key alteration - the absence of support for APK files, the backbone of native Android apps.

Just a week following the initial disclosure, Huawei sought to clear the air by confirming that international units would not be recipients of the new OS. Devices such as smartphones and tablets outside of China will persist in using EMUI, a HarmonyOS doppelgänger rooted in the Android Open Source Project. Although lacking Google services and apps, EMUI will maintain its steadfast support for native Android applications.

China Mobile, a key player in the industry, asserts that Huawei is unwavering in its commitment to "continuously enhance support for developers globally." The company has fostered a robust community of app developers dedicated to ensuring seamless functionality of Android apps sourced from third-party stores on its Google-independent devices.

Reassurances from Huawei executives, both on and off the record, emphasize the company's dedication to expanding support for phones and tablets in the global market. Firm in its vision, Huawei positions itself as a significant player in both software and hardware within the dynamic realm of mobile technology.

In an official confirmation, Huawei declares its intention to retain the Emotion UI (EMUI) branding for overseas devices until absolute confidence is gained in customers' readiness to transition to HarmonyOS. 

 [IMAGES BY HUAWEI]