HarmonyOS Next Nearly Ready to Roll Out, Won’t Support Android Apps

HarmonyOS Next — the next-generation working system for Huawei gadgets — is almost prepared and could possibly be rolled out to customers quickly. In accordance to a report, the native software for the upcoming HarmonyOS Next replace have already been ready for launch. As an alternative of utilizing Google’s Android Open Supply Venture (AOSP) code, HarmonyOS Next is reportedly constructed across the firm’s kernel and system — which additionally implies that Android apps will not be supported on the working system.

Huawei confirmed off HarmonyOS Next whereas it was in improvement earlier this yr, after the variety of HarmonyOS 4 installations crossed the 60 million mark. On the time, it was reported that the corporate had unveiled HarmonyOS Next as a “pure” model of the corporate’s cell working system that may not embody Google’s Android libraries.

Ever since HarmonyOS was unveiled in August 2019, the corporate provided assist for Android apps, thanks to the weak app ecosystem on the time. Nevertheless, the Pandaily report claims that the corporate is lastly set to drop assist for Android apps.

Because of this, not solely will customers be unable to set up Android apps from official sources, however sideloading of apps within the fashionable Android package deal (APK) file format may also not work. As an alternative of APKs, HarmonyOS Next will assist the corporate’s personal HAP format, in accordance to the report.

When HarmonyOS Next replace arrives on eligible smartphones, customers will not have the opportunity to run Android apps. The South China Morning Put up reviews that, Chinese language corporations like Meituan, NetEase, JD.com, and different Large Tech corporations have been hiring HarmonyOS app builders through Liepin.com and Maimai — to construct apps for Huawei smartphones. A developer preview of HarmonyOS Next is anticipated to arrive within the first quarter of 2024

Whereas Huawei is but to present a launch timeline for HarmonyOS Next, it is evident that Android apps will not be supported on the working system and corporations in China are already engaged on supporting the corporate’s new app packaging format. We are able to anticipate to hear extra in regards to the working system replace when the developer preview arrives subsequent yr.

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