Chinese Tech Companies Recruiting HarmonyOS App Developers in Shift Away from Android
Several major Chinese tech companies, including JD.com, NetEase, and Meituan, are actively recruiting HarmonyOS app developers in a strategic move that signals a departure from Google's Android ecosystem. This shift aligns with Huawei's broader strategy to establish HarmonyOS as a robust alternative ecosystem within China, reducing dependence on Android due to US sanctions.
HarmonyOS Recruitment Drive
Meituan, a leading service platform, is currently seeking HarmonyOS infrastructure engineers and is offering competitive monthly salaries ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 yuan for developers with HarmonyOS experience. Similarly, JD.com and NetEase are specifically looking for developers to create applications tailored for Huawei smartphones using the HarmonyOS platform.
The recruitment drive is backed by Huawei's success in positioning HarmonyOS on over 700 million devices, with more than 2.2 million third-party developers actively contributing to the platform. Richard Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, announced that the upcoming iteration, HarmonyOS Next, will sever ties with Android-based apps, further solidifying Huawei's commitment to the HarmonyOS ecosystem.
HarmonyOS Next: Boosting Huawei's Position
Scheduled for a developer preview release in the first quarter of next year, HarmonyOS Next aims to bolster Huawei's position as mainland China's fastest-growing smartphone vendor. The successful launch of Mate 60 Pro in August 2023 marked Huawei's 5G comeback, garnering significant public support and recording an impressive 37% year-on-year growth in the third quarter, according to Counterpoint Research's October report.
HarmonyOS was introduced in August 2019 as a response to Huawei's addition to the US Entity List, which restricted its access to essential Google apps and services. Since the 2019 trade ban, Huawei has faced challenges in its relationship with Android, impacting global smartphone sales. In 2021, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS as an Android-based platform, aiming to replace Android while retaining sideloadable apps.
The Shift Away from Android
The recent push towards "HarmonyOS Next" represents a crucial step in Huawei's journey to distance itself from Android entirely. Reports suggest that the new version will not support APK files, opting for "HAP," a component of a full app package, as indicated on HarmonyOS' developer website. A hands-on demo in August revealed that APK files could not be opened, despite the user interface resembling Huawei's familiar Android-based designs.
However, the decision to abandon Android entirely remains speculative, and more details are anticipated with the official release of "HarmonyOS Next" next year. As Huawei continues to make strides in developing its alternative ecosystem, the tech landscape in China may witness a significant shift away from the once-dominant Android platform.
