HarmonyOS NEXT (Chinese: 鸿蒙星河版; pinyin: Hóngméng Xīnghébǎn) is a proprietarydistributed operating system and an iteration of HarmonyOS, developed by Huawei to support only HarmonyOS nativeapps. The operating system is primarily aimed at software and hardware developers that deal directly with Huawei. It does not include Android's AOSP core and is incompatible with Android applications.[3][4]
While on the one hand discarding the common Unix-likeLinux kernel, the NEXT version also replaces the old HarmonyOS multikernel and is built on a custom version of OpenHarmony and Oniro OS. The rich execution environment (REE) version of HarmonyOS microkernel is placed at its core with a single framework; also the new kernel architecture built on OpenHarmony and it's kernel abstraction layer, which the OS itself shares lineage with lightweight LiteOS real time operating system for resource-constrained devices like wearables and IoT products.[5]
The first internal preview version of the system was revealed on August 4, 2023, and the first preview version was released to registered public developers on January 18, 2024.[4]
The devices tested on the developer preview version of the system were the Mate 60, Mate 60 Pro, and Mate X5 phones in the first batch.[6]
History
On August 4, 2023, at Huawei Developers Conference 2023 (HDC), Huawei officially announced HarmonyOS NEXT, the next version of HarmonyOS, supporting only native APP apps via Ark Compiler and native APIs in HarmonyOS SDK.[7]
The kernel of HarmonyOS NEXT does not include the compatibility layer of AOSP framework with Android libraries from EMUI in the user space and cannot run Android apk apps natively, as is the case with the dual framework HarmonyOS.[8][9]
On August 4, 2023, the developer preview version of HarmonyOS NEXT was opened for cooperating enterprise developers, and on January 18, 2024, to the rest of developers to build and test native mobile apps. The beta version was expected to be launched in Q2 2024, and the commercial version to be made available in Q4 2024. It has been revealed by Huawei that HarmonyOS NEXT system stack development goes back as far as 2015 after R&D incubation of HarmonyOS development in 2012.[10][11]
August 4, 2023 (API 9) OpenHarmony Developer Preview 1 for HarmonyOS NEXT internal cooperative developers, for native software development. January 2024 Developer Preview 1 Beta for public registered developers (API 10), Q2 Developer Beta (API 11), and Commercial (API 12) stable builds:
At the HarmonyOS Developer event in China, Huawei announced that the developer preview version of Harmony Next, the third generation of HarmonyOS operating system based on custom OpenHarmony L0-L2 branch source code, was open for application development, alongside the release of the beta version to enterprise developers on January 18, 2024. The beta version of HarmonyOS Next will be launched in Q2 of 2024 to all unregistered public developers, while a commercial version on specific devices will be released to all users in Q4 of 2024.
Software architecture and framework features
HarmonyOS NEXT Architecture
Native refinement of the system, application, fluency, security, intelligence, and native interconnection.
Full-stack, self-developed HarmonyOS NEXT core operating system integrated that includes:
Native File system: EROFS/HMDFS distributed file system
Native in-house Cangjie programming language alongside ArkTS as primary programming languages support for native HarmonyOS system and kernel
AOSP system and Linux kernel of EMUI system userland on System Service Layer removed from native compatibility on phones and tablets alongside some other devices via native OpenHarmony user mode.
Primary HarmonyOS native app file package, APP for HarmonyOS apps only
Refined and primary native in-house Ark Engine multimedia API graphics stack system that comes with ArkGraphics 2D and ArkGraphics 3D with Cangjie support across all devices with developer access
Linux and LiteOS RTOS base on wearables, phones, tablets on System Service Layer replaced with self-developed REE verison of HarmonyOS kernel, Microkernel architecture.[12]
API 10, 11 features bundled
New API 12 features
HarmonyOS NEXT SDK with previous classic HarmonyOS SDK API levels, alongside standard OpenHarmony SDK support conglomerated in a complete and comprehensive in-house HarmonyOS SDK API 12
PC mode when keyboard used on MatePads and phone docked
Native PC support
Native HarmonyOS API apps adapted to PC support
Native Generative Edge AI computing API system features for Edge Computing
Native Generative AI and Multimodal learningLLM Voice Assistant Celia/XiaoYi [China & Global] - Powered by Huawei Pangu AI model, supports Chinese and English with Celia Proactive Suggestions and Developers can add Celia Voice services to their atomic services improvements and applications.
Native device-side AI support for training interface and ArkTS interface for NNRt (Neural Network Runtime) backend configurations via MindSpore framework
OpenHarmony versioning core baseline of HarmonyOS NEXT system underlining the HarmonyOS operating system baseline versioning
OpenHarmony user mode contains the kernel abstract layer that wraps the Linux syscall compatible layer via POSIX compatible, third-party musl from LiteOS lineage for HarmonyOS NEXT system kernel, in-house Microkernel.
Exclusive to in-house Kirin and HiSilicon chips optimisation and adaptation alongside selected Snapdragon legacy chips
New visual graphical interfaces based on Neumorphism and Glassmorphism design language trend, visual elements on HarmonyOS Design language system for Spatial computing
New Control Panel interface.
New and refined notification and lockscreen interface.
New volume control design.
New native File and Photos picker app and interface.
New bundled HarmonyOS native system apps.
Native HarmonyOS settings app and OTA system
Modified native Task Switcher interface for PC, phones, tablets and foldables
Native smart app background and foreground management system
Live Window UX improvements and developer APIs kit support for native third-party HarmonyOS apps
Native developer and app kits support
New native AppGallery app designed for installation of native HarmonyOS apps only.
New native Huawei Browser with a self-developed, in-house and custom ArkWeb software engine for native Webview apps, from custom OpenHarmony CEF based on nweb software engine that carries Chromium browser and Blink browser engine for native Webview apps.
New Permission application system with AI, Capability-based security REE kernel features, alongside native OpenHarmony-based Access token manager[13] implements unified app permission management on Core File Kit, departure from previous versions of HarmonyOS with AOSP framework
Advanced native multitasking and Task switching system
HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview version equipped with latest base technology, open capabilities, and development kits. The new version comes with HarmonyOS kernel. Huawei Ark graphics engine added. Phones and tablets are tested. Native HMS Core built inside. Internally released developer only software on OpenHarmony base development stack.[15]
August 4, 2023
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.0) Developer Preview 1
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OpenHarmony 4.0 (API 10)
New graphical shells, including PC and tablet PC mode support.[16]
October 26, 2023
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.1/4.1.1 - Canary Build) Developer Preview 1 [Beta]
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OpenHarmony 4.1 Beta 1 (API 10-11)
{System: OpenHarmony- 4.1.25[Canary1]}
A large number of ArkTS APIs have been added, and the scope of distributed hardware support has been expanded. Improved new graphical shells. PC APIs added.[17] HarmonyOS Kernel (Microkernel) retrofitted on Canary1 builds.
January 18, 2024
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.1/4.1.1 - Canary Build) Developer Preview 1 [Beta]
