Here Are Eight Facts About HarmonyOS 2.0, You Need To Know

It took a long enough proof for HarmonyOS to be able to replace Android. (photo: doc. huawei)

JAKARTA - The technology giant from China, Huawei, recently released HarmonyOS 2.0 for Huawei devices, which is believed to be a serious competitor for Huawei. The HarmonyOS is a global operating system that offers cross-device communication and promises many features for performance and security.

Here are some things you need to know about Huawei's latest operating system and its future.

1. What is HarmonyOS?

The HarmonyOS, also known as HongmengOS in China, is Huawei's internal operating system that has been in development since 2012.

Now Huawei is not just a mobile phone manufacturer. They are already one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. The operating system that they have built has brought together all the devices such as smart home appliances, TVs, smartwatches, tablets, and mobile phones will be very useful.

In 2019, the US government imposed sanctions on Chinese technology companies, resulting in Huawei devices losing support for critical US software services such as those offered by Google.

In retaliation, Huawei accelerated the development of their proprietary operating system and launched HarmonyOS 2.0, an operating system that would unify their devices and provide cross-functional capabilities without the need for these other services.

2. When Will the HarmonyOS Be Released?

The HarmonyOS was first released for selected devices in 2019, with a focus on smart TVs, IoT devices, in-car entertainment systems, and more.

Huawei unveiled the HarmonyOS 2.0 at the Huawei Developer Conference in 2020, with the aim of being able to launch HarmonyOS 2.0 in 2021. Then it officially launches with new Huawei smartphones and smartwatches in June 2021.

3. Which Phones Have HarmonyOS?

Currently, Huawei has announced HarmonyOS 2.0 support for phones with up to 4GB RAM. By the end of 2021, we can expect HarmonyOS 2.0 to be compatible devices with more than 4GB RAM, paving the way for other smartphone manufacturers to consider HarmonyOS 2.0 over Android.

The public is still waiting for full details about all the devices that will run the operating system, Huawei smartphones like Mate 40, P40, Mate 30, and others will automatically receive the HarmonyOS 2.0 update.

4. How to Get HarmonyOS?

If you have a compatible Huawei phone, you can download HarmonyOS 2.0 via the My Huawei app. You can then follow the on-screen instructions to download the HarmonyOS 2.0 update. But the process is not that easy. Because you can't get the software on devices that aren't officially supported, or on phones from other manufacturers.

5. Is HarmonyOS Good?

HarmonyOS is a fork of Android, meaning its development is based on open-source Android code. As such, it should be a very good operating system, and work in a very familiar way.

But it's still too early to pass judgment on this OS. Only time will tell how good HarmonyOS is as it's not currently a mainstream operating system, and there are many contributing factors, so we'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

6. Can HarmonyOS Run Android Apps?

This is a significant discussion point and is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a new smartphone operating system.

According to a confirmed report from Huawei, HarmonyOS will allow users to continue using Android apps, while also allowing them to download and run HarmonyOS apps. However, it will not have access to the Play Store, as it is owned by Google. Harmony itself is claimed to already have more than 134.000 applications, and more than four million developers have signed up to distribute applications on the platform.

7. Can HarmonyOS Replace Android?

Yes, it can happen, in some parts of the world. But there is a lot of work to be done because Android is the most widely used smartphone operating system, and it won't die without a fight.

Also, HarmonyOS is currently only launching on Huawei devices, so it remains unclear how many smartphone manufacturers end up opting for HarmonyOS. It may become popular in China and perhaps some other parts of Asia, but less likely in the West.

8. Will HarmonyOS Support Google Play Services?

You can still download Android apps on HarmonyOS, but Google apps, such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, won't run on HarmonyOS. The OS will also not be able to use the Play Store, or Google Play Services, which brings together all of Google's apps—and many third-party services as well.

Are you still interested in using this OS, and leaving your Google accounts, such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube?