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At the Huawei Developer Conference (HDC) 2025, held from June 20-22 at Songshan Lake in China, Huawei unveiled the beta version of HarmonyOS 6, the latest evolution of its in-house operating system. This update marks a decisive step in Huawei’s technological independence strategy, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence and intelligent agents.
Breaking away from Android: an autonomous and intelligent system
With HarmonyOS 6, Huawei takes a major step by definitively abandoning compatibility with Android applications, a strategic decision initiated to respond to American sanctions from 2019. This system, now 100% autonomous, positions itself as an alternative to giants like Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. The heart of this new version rests on the HarmonyOS Multi-Agent Framework (HMAF), an architecture designed to integrate intelligent agents capable of interacting contextually and intuitively with users.
The HMAF allows developers to create AI agents without having to train complex models from scratch. These agents, like the voice assistant XiaoYi, can understand natural language, automate complex tasks, and coordinate multiple applications. For example, during the conference, Huawei demonstrated how XiaoYi can scan a smartphone screen to provide contextual results, similar to the Circle to Search feature, or help create applications for HarmonyOS 6 via voice commands.
XiaoYi: the AI assistant at the heart of HarmonyOS 6
The XiaoYi assistant is the cornerstone of HarmonyOS 6. Redesigned to offer more human interaction, it relies on a colossal database of 20 trillion tokens to understand user intentions and respond proactively. Whether managing Excel spreadsheets via ChatExcel, recommending restaurants, or automating office tasks, XiaoYi promises a seamless and integrated experience. Huawei also announces that over 50 intelligent agents, developed by partners like Weibo and Ximalaya, will be available at public launch.
Furthermore, HarmonyOS 6 introduces innovative features like Touch and Share, which allows transferring files or joining multiplayer game sessions by simply touching the screen of another Huawei device, such as a PC or tablet. This technology, while limited to devices in the Huawei ecosystem, reinforces device integration.
Developer tools: DevEco CodeGenie and enhanced security
To accelerate HarmonyOS 6 adoption, Huawei is banking on its developer community. The company unveiled DevEco CodeGenie, an AI-assisted development tool capable of generating code, fixing up to 70% of syntax errors, and resolving complex issues. Based on a knowledge base specific to HarmonyOS, this tool aims to simplify native application creation, a crucial challenge as Huawei’s application ecosystem lags behind iOS and Android.
On the security side, HarmonyOS 6 integrates the Star Shield architecture, which coordinates hardware (GPS, camera, etc.) to enhance data protection and biometric authentication. Huawei claims to have blocked over 8.6 billion application authorization requests deemed “unreasonable” using this technology, offering a robust alternative for privacy-conscious users.
Challenges and perspectives: an ecosystem still under construction
Despite these advances, HarmonyOS 6 faces significant challenges. With only 30,000 applications and mini-programs, primarily tailored to the Chinese market, the application ecosystem remains limited compared to its competitors. Richard Yu, president of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, acknowledged this lag while highlighting that HarmonyOS now powers over 900 million devices worldwide, including 103 million smartphones and 21 million tablets.
The HarmonyOS 6 beta version is available to developers until June 30, 2025, with a public release expected in the fourth quarter, likely alongside the Mate 80 series. Eligible devices include flagship models like the Mate 70, Mate 60, Mate X5, and MatePad Pro.
Why is HarmonyOS 6 important for AI?
HarmonyOS 6 illustrates the growing prominence of artificial intelligence in mobile operating systems. By betting on intelligent agents and deep integration between hardware and software, Huawei seeks to redefine user experience. However, its success will depend on its ability to expand its application ecosystem and attract international markets, where dependence on Google services remains strong.
For AI and technology enthusiasts, HarmonyOS 6 represents a fascinating step toward a future where operating systems do more than just execute applications, but anticipate and proactively respond to user needs.
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