HarmonyOS NEXT

HarmonyOS NEXT

Developer	Huawei
Written in	C, C++, JavaScript, ArkTS, Cangjie,[1] Rust, Assembly language and others
OS family	OpenHarmony-based
Working state	Current
Source model	Closed, with open source components
Initial release	August 4, 2023; 13 months ago (2023-08-04)
Latest preview	NEXT.0.0.68(SP7C00E68R4P9log) - Beta 1 / (September 21, 2024; 2 days ago (2024-09-21))
Update method	Over-the-air
Package manager	.app, OpenHarmony Package Manager (ohpm)
Platforms	ARM64
Kernel type	HarmonyOS kernel (Microkernel)
Userland	System Service Layer, OpenHarmony app framework user modes on HarmonyOS NEXT system[2]
Default user interface	Harmony Design (Design System) (multi-touch, GUI)
License	Commercial software, Proprietary software except for open-source components
Preceded by	HarmonyOS 4.2
Official website	developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/next
Support status
Supported
Articles in the series
HarmonyOS version history

HarmonyOS NEXT (Chinese: 鸿蒙星河版; pinyin: Hóngméng Xīnghébǎn) is a proprietary distributed operating system and a major iteration of HarmonyOS, developed by Huawei to support only HarmonyOS native apps. 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 discarding the common Unix-like Linux kernel, HarmonyOS NEXT also replaces the old HarmonyOS multikernel with its custom unified proprietary system built on OpenHarmony and the global variant Oniro OS for global markets.^{[citation needed]} The rich execution environment (REE) version of HarmonyOS microkernel is placed at its core with a single framework as kernel mode. The new kernel architecture, built on OpenHarmony and its kernel abstraction layer, serves as user mode. The OS shares lineage with the lightweight LiteOS real-time operating system for resource-constrained devices like smart 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.^[6] The system is expected to launch by end of September 2024.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9]

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.^[10][11]

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.^[12][13]

Software version history

See also: HarmonyOS version history and OpenHarmony § Software development

HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition (Star River) [5.0.0] (API version 12)

August 4, 2023 (API 9) 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), Developer Preview 2 (API 11–12), Q2 Beta (API 12), 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 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 AI LLM model: PanGu-Σ
  • Native Generative AI framework: MindSpore
  • Native Integrated Development Environment: DevEco Studio IDE and DevEco Testing
  • Native Design system: HarmonyOS Design
  • Native Programming framework: ArkUI / ArkUI-X (cross-platform)
  • Native Compiler & Runtime: Ark Compiler, BiSheng Compiler and Ark Runtime
  • 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
• Native Package management subsystem^[14]
• 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^[15]
• Linux and LiteOS RTOS base on wearables, phones, tablets on System Service Layer replaced with self-developed REE version of HarmonyOS kernel, Microkernel architecture.^[16]
• API 10, 11 features bundled
• New API 12 features
• HarmonyOS NEXT SDK with previous classic HarmonyOS SDK API levels, alongside full standard OpenHarmony SDK development kit access support conglomerated in a complete and comprehensive in-house HarmonyOS SDK API 12, in a form of full development kit.
• 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 learning LLM 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 versioning 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.
• OpenHarmony Device Connector (HDC) native support, a command line tool for connecting and debugging HarmonyOS devices as well as OpenHarmony devices in interoperability, including self debugging on PC-side with native toolchain system.^{[citation needed]} Replaces Android Debug Bridge on classic dual-framework OpenHarmony L3-L5 based EMUI and HarmonyOS AOSP userland base.^[17]
• 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
• Native developer and app kits support
• ArkData powered by GaussDB for ArkTS HarmonyOS native development
• New native AppGallery app designed for installation of native HarmonyOS apps only.
• WebView component based on the ArkWeb software engine.^{[citation needed]}
• Next generation NearLink 2.0 support
• Native HMS Core integration
• New Permission application system with Capability-based security-like REE kernel features, alongside native OpenHarmony-based Access token manager^[18] implements unified app permission management on Core File Kit, departure from previous versions of HarmonyOS with AOSP framework^[19]
• Advanced native multitasking and Task switching system
• Native Push API system
• Continuity of applications between devices via native Distributed Package Management Service (DBMS) from Distribution Service Kit API.^[20]
• Spatial computing support^[21]
• Native Spatial Audio support in Audio Kit API^[22]
• Harmony Intelligence backend stack embedded across the OS, with PanGu 5.0 LLM with Embedded variant, MindSpore AI framework with Neural Network Runtime API kit with smarter Celia virtual assistant.^[23]
• AI body Feed upgrade of native Celia virtual assistant with analyzing documents, ask or summarizing. Also understand "this" and "that" according to context and information on the device. Also, AI voice fix for hearing aid and see world accessibilities in every scenario with AppGallery third party native full fledged apps and Meta enabled mini apps in SDK, API support, images, wallpapers for home and lockscreens on system etc.
• New Celia UI call from, holding gesture-based navigation bar to enlarge. Drag information into clipboard with text, photo, docs to Celia navigation bar for analyzing.
• Full scenario Intelligence OS
• Security accessible
• Star Shield security architecture
• Collaboration between apps with the New distributed soft bus, App hop, Cross devices gallery
• New upgraded Live Window with Lockscreen enhancements for native HarmonyOS apps integration, like delivery info, maps integrated with native Petal Maps APIs and third party mapping APIs technologies etc.
• Native Petal Maps includes Sequential Planning with Map Mode, Semi Modal
• Upgraded Desktop Mode for MatePad tablets and new Desktop PC systems for Matebook and MateStation PCs
• New split-screen interface
• New boot animation screen of HarmonyOS with OpenHarmony compatibility label of "Huawei" boot image
• Enterprise intelligent terminal management support
• New camera interface
• 30% performance boosts, 10.7% native custom HarmonyOS kernel performance boost compared former Linux kernel
• OpenHarmony compatibility test for existing and new devices
• 5.5G connectivity support with existing 5G, 4G in native telephony stack of OpenHarmony-based HarmonyOS NEXT
• Bluetooth BLE 6.0 support
• China local initial launch^[24]

HarmonyOS NEXT base compiled versions of its software versions in software development since August 4, 2023.

HarmonyOS NEXT releases

System version	OS version	Information	Release date
HarmonyOS NEXT (3.1) Developer Preview 1 [Internal Beta]	OpenHarmony 3.2	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview version equipped with latest base technology, open capabilities, and development kits. The new version comes with HarmonyOS kernel (Microkernel). 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 with API 9.[25]	August 4, 2023
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.0) Developer Preview 1 [Internal Beta]	OpenHarmony 4.0	New graphical shells, including PC and tablet PC mode support with API 10.[26]	October 26, 2023
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.1/4.1.1 - Canary Build) Developer Preview 1 [External Beta]	OpenHarmony 4.1	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.[27] HarmonyOS Kernel (Microkernel) retrofitted on Canary1 builds with API 11.	January 18, 2024
2.0.0.59 (SP3DEVCC00E59R4P1log - Canary Build 2)	OpenHarmony 4.1 beta 1	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview 1 Beta rolled out on registered developers' handsets, Huawei Mate 60 Pro and other devices.	February 29, 2024
2.0.0.66 (SP3DEVCC00E59R4P1log - Canary Build 2)	OpenHarmony 4.1	External preview beta expansion of Developer Preview 2 rolled out on more registered developers' handsets with latest pre-release canary build.^[citation needed]	April 2, 2024
3.0.0.22(Canary3)	OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 1	External beta expansion of Developer Beta 1 rolled out on more registered developers' handsets with latest pre-release developer Beta build with API 12.[28]	May 25, 2024
NEXT.0.026(SP6DEVC00E29R4P6log) Developer Beta 1[29]	5.0.0.25(Beta1)	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 1 with API 12, "Full scenario" intelligence OS with Harmony Intelligence rolled out publicly to all registered developers June 21, 2024 at HDC 2024 annual event in China.[30][31][32]	June 21, 2024
NEXT.0.0.31 (SPXXXXXXXX) Developer Beta 2[33]	5.0.0.33(Beta2)	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 2, expansion.[34]	July 19, 2024
NEXT.0.0.35(SPXXXXXXXX) Developer Beta 3[35]	OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 3	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 3 expansion.[36]	August 2, 2024
NEXT.0.0.36(SP6DEVC00E38R10P8) - Developer Beta 3	OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 3	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 3 bug fixes and third developer beta recruitment extends.	August 7, 2024[37]
NEXT.0.0.60(SP12DEVC00E6QR4P9)  - Developer Beta 5	OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 5	HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 5 bug fixes and the final fourth developer beta recruitment extended.	August 21, 2024
NEXT.0.0.65(SP3C00E65R1P6)  - Beta 1 (Developer Beta 6)[38]	5.0.0.60(Beta7)	HarmonyOS NEXT beta recruitment for developers and early adopters expanded to more devices. First rolled out on three main devices for developer testing with API 12 transitioning with Developer Beta 6.	August 30, 2024[39]
NEXT.0.0.65(SP3C786E65R4P9)  - Beta 1	5.0.0.65(Beta8)	HarmonyOS NEXT beta recruitment for developers and early adopters expanded to more devices. First rolled out on three main devices for developer testing with API 12, phased out Developer Beta cycles.	September 5, 2024
NEXT.0.0.66(SP6C00E66R5P9) - Beta 1	5.0.0.66(Beta9)	September 12 update released a patch version of the NEXT Beta 1 version[40]	September 12, 2024
NEXT.0.0.68 (SP7C00E68R4P9log) - Beta 1	5.0.0.68(Beta10)	September 21 update released a patch version of the NEXT Beta 1 version	September 21, 2024
HarmonyOS NEXT (5.0/5.0.0 Galaxy Edition) Consumer Beta [Single Frame][41]	OpenHarmony 5.0	HarmonyOS NEXT official consumer beta release for expanded models for single frame HarmonyOS 5.0 version with API 12.	September 2024
HarmonyOS NEXT (5.0/5.0.0 Galaxy Edition) Commercialisation [Stable]	OpenHarmony 5.0	Commercialisation of HarmonyOS NEXT retrofitted on Galaxy Edition version for HarmonyOS 5.0 on supported Huawei consumer devices in Q4 2024, from Beta stage to stable in Chinese markets first with API 12.[42]	Q4 2024[43]

See also

• HarmonyOS
• OpenHarmony
• EulerOS
• LiteOS
• DevEco Studio

References

1. Matsui, Emiko (21 June 2024). "Huawei begins Cangjie programming language beta recruitment". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
2. "HMOS Architecture". Medium. Application Library Engineering Group. 5 April 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
3. "Huawei reveals HarmonyOS NEXT will be based on Harmony Kernel". Retrieved 2024-02-01.
4. "Huawei's HarmonyOS Next is set to rival iOS and Android in China". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
5. Miller, James (2024-01-22). "HarmonyOS NEXT Kernel: Can Huawei's New Engine Outclass the Mighty Linux?". Retrieved 2024-02-01.
6. "HarmonyOS NEXT is a pure HarmonyOS without Android apps and future of Huawei ecosystem". Huawei Community. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
7. "纯血鸿蒙来了！华为HarmonyOS NEXT正式版将于9月底发布". 快科技. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
8. Emiko, Matsui (15 January 2024). "Here are the HarmonyOS NEXT first developer beta batch devices". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
9. Amit (2023-09-25). "Huawei released HarmonyOS NEXT". HU. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
10. Cañete, Patrick (2023-08-10). "HarmonyOS NEXT is a standalone HUAWEI OS without Android apps". NoypiGeeks. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
11. Abdullah (2024-01-19). "HarmonyOS NEXT introduced without a single line of Android code". Gizchina.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
12. Matsui, Emiko (2024-01-18). "HarmonyOS NEXT Galaxy stable rollout will begin in Q4 2024". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
13. "华为发布 HarmonyOS NEXT 鸿蒙星河版，开发者预览版开放申请 - IT之家". www.ithome.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
14. "Package management subsystem". Gitee. OpenAtom OpenHarmony. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
15. "ArkGraphics 2D简介". OpenAtom OpenHarmony. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
16. Lai, Richard (9 August 2019). "Huawei reveals HarmonyOS, its alternative to Android". Engadaget. Engadget. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
17. "OpenHarmony/developtools_hdc". Gitee (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2024-04-13.
18. "ATM". Gitee. OpenAtom OpenHarmony. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
19. "OpenAtom OpenHarmony". docs.openharmony.cn. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
20. "Distributed Package Management Service (DBMS)". Gitee. OpenAtom OpenHarmony. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
21. Miao, Hao. "Huawei has released HarmonyOS NEXT HarmonyOS Galaxy Edition, and the developer preview version is open for application". IT Home. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
22. "Spatial audio". OpenAtom OpenHarmony. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
23. Amit (2024-06-21). "Huawei releases Harmony Intelligence powered with AI capabilities". HU. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
24. Sohail, Omar (2024-06-17). "Huawei's HarmonyOS NEXT Rumored To Remove All Source Code That Is In Any Way Linked To The U.S., Including Linux And Android". Wccftech. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
25. Bhati, Kamlesh (7 August 2023). "HarmonyOS NEXT Hands-on Experience: Pure HarmonyOS Without AOSP". Sparrownews.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
26. Sarkar, Amy (January 2024). "HarmonyOS NEXT and HarmonyOS PC to shape a new direction for Huawei". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
27. "Huawei releases preview version of updated HarmonyOS Next as it accelerates shift away from Android". Yahoo News. South China Morning Post. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
28. "博主展示鸿蒙 HarmonyOS NEXT 系统截图，6 月 21 日华为开发者大会 HDC.2024 正式揭晓 - IT之家". www.ithome.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
29. Matsui, Emiko (2024-06-21). "Huawei officially launches HarmonyOS NEXT Beta". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
30. Matsui, Emiko (11 April 2024). "Huawei to launch HarmonyOS NEXT beta at HDC 2024 event in June". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
31. Matsui, Emiko (2024-04-25). "Huawei schedules HDC 2024 event for June 21, early bird tickets on sale". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
32. Matsui, Emiko (2024-07-12). "HarmonyOS NEXT second phase developer beta devices [List]". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
33. Matsui, Emiko (2024-06-21). "Huawei officially launches HarmonyOS NEXT Beta". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
34. Matsui, Emiko (2024-07-22). "HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 2 update is out, check the changelog here". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
35. Matsui, Emiko (2024-06-21). "Huawei officially launches HarmonyOS NEXT Beta". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
36. Matsui, Emiko (2024-08-01). "Huawei opens HarmonyOS NEXT third phase developer beta program". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
37. Matsui, Emiko (2024-08-08). "HarmonyOS NEXT third developer beta recruitment extends to August 14". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
38. Matsui, Emiko (2024-08-27). "HarmonyOS NEXT developer beta program opens for smartphone users". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
39. Matsui, Emiko (2024-08-27). "HarmonyOS NEXT beta program for early adopters: Devices [List]". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
40. "Application Development Guide - HarmonyOS NEXT Beta 1". Huawei Developers. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
41. Matsui, Emiko (2024-06-21). "Huawei confirms HarmonyOS NEXT upgrade plan: Devices and Rollout Time". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
42. "The Next name is used for current transition stage. HDC will be brought forward to June 2024 - Insider Report". Substack. LivingInHarmony Blog. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
43. Matsui, Emiko (2024-04-29). "Leak says HarmonyOS NEXT fluency seems equivalent to current software version". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2024-04-29.

External links

• Official website