What They Say
Huawei has rolled out its HarmonyOS V2.0 on its smartphones after it was barred by the US government from using Google’s software and a range of semiconductors. AP reports that about 100 Huawei smartphone models will use its proprietary HarmonyOS system, and that the operating system will also be available on certain tablets and smart screens in the fourth quarter of the year. The company claims that its OS avoids some of the problems of Android and the company claims 120K apps on its app store. AP said that it is still missing apps popular overseas such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Google is blocked in China, so Huawei users in China are unlikely to be affected. But the lack of access to Google services makes Huawei a less attractive choice for overseas users, who are used to watching videos on YouTube or using the Gmail email app, analysts say.
What We Think
Analysts are somewhat dismissive of Huawei’s chances of establishing HarmonyOS. I’m not a smartphone expert, but when I saw this story, I was reminded of my first discussion with Zoom, about three years ago at Infocomm. I don’t watch videoconferencing very closely, but as I went around the show, I kept hearing the name, in a very positive tone, when I spoke to display makers, so I went to find out more.
Zoom was established by a number of staff from Webex, which had been bought by Cisco. Staff told me at the time that they had benefitted by being able to architect Zoom better to handle and develop the positive aspects that it had found with Webex.
In the same way, Huawei may be able to make a better Android. However, on the negative side, Android is not just an app, it’s a platform, so the success of HarmonyOS will depend on the success of Huawei in drawing app developers onto its platform. (BR)
