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Ricardo Aguilar
WriterMobile tech writer and analyst. I studied Psychology, but I've been working in the consumer tech field for the last 10 years. Interested in motor projects and new forms of mobility.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
The Department of Commerce’s Entity List isn’t a favorable place for companies to find themselves. One notable entity on the list is Huawei, which lost its licenses to use Google services a few years ago. Most recently, the Chinese company’s agreement with Microsoft to use Windows on its laptops has also been affected.
Huawei can continue to sell existing Windows laptops. However, the production of new devices running Microsoft’s operating system hinges on licenses that are subject to global restrictions. Huawei has a plan.
Licensing agreement. Huawei’s current situation with Microsoft is similar to what it experienced with Google. The Chinese company can no longer use Microsoft’s licenses for newly manufactured products. Just as it had to move away from Google services on its Android smartphones, Huawei can no longer manufacture Windows computers.
Huawei’s response. Huawei CEO Richard Yu said in September 2024 that the company’s current PCs would be the last to feature Windows. He added that the next generation of devices would be equipped with Huawei’s own operating system, HarmonyOS.
This statement has been received positively in China, where HarmonyOS Next is seen as the clear direction for the future. However, consumer preferences outside China differ, and the state of HarmonyOS remains quite preliminary.
HarmonyOS Next. Huawei is making it clear that the future of its software development involves creating a comprehensive ecosystem where PCs, smartphones, smartwatches, and even electric vehicles are interconnected. To achieve this, the company is developing HarmonyOS Next, a fully proprietary system that doesn’t rely on Android or the Linux kernel. In fact, it features a native kernel.
This initiative marks the company’s most ambitious software project to date. Huawei plans to launch it in 2025 on PCs sold within China.
We’ll always have Linux. Outside of China, HarmonyOS lacks significant relevance because the app ecosystem is still in the early stages of development. On Monday, Huawei announced the Huawei Mate X Pro, available in 14 and 16-inch versions. The device runs on Linux and is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
The new Mate X Pro is essentially the same model the company previously offered with Windows, but now features a Linux operating system. It’s priced at around $1,430 and can only be purchased from China. In any case, it represents a significant turning point for the company.
Image | Huawei
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