Huawei Technologies Focuses on Native App Ecosystem Expansion
In a strategic push which underscores Huawei’s focus for the year, the tech giant is channeling its resources towards creating a robust ecosystem for its HarmonyOS applications. Eric Xu, the rotating chairman, pointed out the significance of this ecosystem during the unveiling of the Pura 70 series smartphones at Huawei’s 21st Analyst Summit.
As Huawei propels its industrial growth, it has committed to extensively investing in the HarmonyOS ecosystem over the next five years. The theme of the summit, “Thrive with Intelligence,” reflects this investment as the company steps into a future shaped by its proprietary operating system.
Surge in HarmonyOS Native Mobile Applications
Recent reports show that HarmonyOS’s native applications have multiplied rapidly, from a mere 200 in January to over 4,000. By the year’s end, Huawei aims to feature at least 5,000 apps in its HarmonyOS app store, capturing over 99 percent of the time users spend on mobile applications in China.
Huawei has confirmed the integration of more than 4,000 new native apps, with negotiations for nearly another 1,000 underway. Xu highlighted that the completion of the HarmonyOS app store with these apps will elevate HarmonyOS as the third key mobile operating system globally, alongside iOS and Android.
Artificial Intelligence at the Core of Huawei’s Strategy
The “All Intelligence” strategy is another focus area for Huawei, as they look to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This approach not only supports the development of dynamic ecosystems but also enhances the competitive edge of Huawei’s offerings.
Huawei’s AI journey, which commenced in October 2018 with the launch of their AI strategy, continues to gain momentum. The integration of AI across Huawei’s organizational structure and dedication to foundational research are pivotal to fostering innovation within the firm.
Additionally, Huawei highlighted industry advancements such as the transition to green energy, with a significant emphasis on photovoltaic and wind power, and the evolutionary strides in the electric vehicle sector towards intelligent systems. Another significant trend is the large-scale commercialization anticipated for 5G-Advanced networks, promising superior speeds and lower latency.
Huawei’s strategic move to prioritize its HarmonyOS ecosystem aligns with the challenges the company has faced due to US trade sanctions. These sanctions restricted Huawei’s access to Google’s Android ecosystem, which significantly impacted their international smartphone market share. Huawei’s effort in building a robust HarmonyOS ecosystem not only aims to mitigate the impact of lost access to Android but also to create a self-reliant platform that could compete with established players in the OS market.
Key Challenges and Controversies
– International Acceptance: One of the key challenges for HarmonyOS is gaining international acceptance and a user base outside China, where Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS dominate.
– App Developer Attraction: Attracting developers to create apps for a new and comparatively smaller ecosystem is a significant hurdle.
– Compatibility with Global Standards: Ensuring that HarmonyOS is compatible with global technology standards and can integrate with international software and hardware systems poses another challenge.
Advantages
– Control: Huawei gains greater control over its technology stack, reducing dependence on foreign entities.
– Integration: HarmonyOS is designed to work seamlessly across multiple device types, potentially providing a smooth cross-device user experience.
– Market Opportunities: The new ecosystem opens up market opportunities within China and potentially in other markets as well, particularly for IoT devices.
Disadvantages
– Developer Ecosystem: Creating a large and vibrant developer ecosystem is resource-intensive and time-consuming.
– Consumer Trust: Building consumer trust in a new operating system to compete with well-established and familiar ones is challenging.
– Trade Restrictions: Ongoing trade restrictions could limit Huawei’s ability to engage with global markets, hampering the growth of HarmonyOS outside China.
Relevant Links
For more information about Huawei and its initiatives, you can visit the official website: Huawei.
HarmonyOS’s growth and the release of the Pura 70 series smartphones are significant milestones in Huawei’s push for a self-sufficient ecosystem. The overall success will, however, depend on how well the company navigates the challenges of international market penetration, developer engagement, and trade restrictions. Huawei’s focus on integrating AI and environment-friendly technologies also reflects their aim to stay at the forefront of technological innovation while addressing global concerns for sustainability.
The source of the article is from the blog motopaddock.nl