HarmonyOS 5: This is what Huawei's alternative to Windows and macOS looks like
Ever since US sanctions went into effect, the Chinese tech giant Huawei has been developing its own operating system called HarmonyOS. While the first versions were still based on the Android Open Source Project, Huawei has not utilized any code from Google since HarmonyOS Next, meaning that the manufacturer's smartphones and smartwatches, at least those for the Chinese market, don’t include any US software. Now, HarmonyOS 5 is going to replace Windows on laptops and desktop PCs.
The operating system for the PC has the same structure as the smartphone OS, and it includes the HarmonyOS Kernel, StarShield security software and the Ark Engine, which supposedly results in good performance. According to Huawei, the operating system is "faster than Windows", but the company did not provide any specific details to back up this claim. Anyhow, the user interface is reminiscent of the market-leading Microsoft OS, as Huawei relies on a taskbar at the bottom of the screen and a desktop with apps, documents and widgets.
Pinned apps can be found in the center of the taskbar, while important information such as the time of day and battery level is visible on the right side. Clicking on these icons opens up a quick settings menu that is reminiscent of HarmonyOS on smartphones. The button on the far right side opens the AI feature, which then appears as a window on the right edge of the screen and basically works like a chatbot. It can also interact with documents and apps, similar to Microsoft Copilot.
HarmonyOS 5 further comes with a range of multitasking features, such as the ability to view all currently open windows side by side when swiping up on the trackpad with three fingers. For a somewhat more modern look, Huawei consistently integrated dynamic lighting effects that react to the mouse cursor, as well as animated wallpapers.
Similar to what is known from macOS and iOS, HarmonyOS 5 can seamlessly connect computers with smartphones and tablets that run on the mobile version of HarmonyOS. For instance, users can write a message on their smartphone using the laptop keyboard, or copy a file from a tablet and paste it on the notebook. Huawei also promises extensive app support by third-party developers. Just like HarmonyOS Next, it’s rather unlikely that HarmonyOS 5 will ever run on devices intended for Western markets.
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