Huawei’s moted Android alternative is getting more and more airtime, and with the Chinese company calling a Developer Conference for early August, we’re likely to get our first look at what Huawei’s alternative smartphone operating system looks like.
While we might have to wait a month to find out more about the OS, Huawei’s CEO Ren Zhengfei has been talking it up already.
One of the bolder claims is that HongMeng OS is faster than both Google’s Android (a logical comparison) and Apple’s MacOS (an unusual comparison), citing a processing delay of “just a few milliseconds”. In another poke at Android, Mr Ren noted that HongMeng OS could be useful on smartphones, laptops, tablets, network switches and even data centre equipment. Given Android largely exists in phones and tablets only, an alternative OS that runs in more places seems .. odd.
With Huawei seeming likely to regain access to US suppliers, the incentive to develop ones own operating system might seem reduced. However, smart money suggests that Huawei has witnessed how volatile the international market can be, and would move to insulate itself against future trade restrictions.
One thing’s for sure, we’ll almost certainly see more of HongMeng OS in the next month or two. Whether we’ll see it on a smartphone later this year is another question entirely.
