Huawei HarmonyOS 6 Launches, Offers Direct File Transfer to Apple Devices
- tech360.tv
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Huawei Technologies has released HarmonyOS 6 to consumers in China, marking the first time its proprietary operating system enables direct file transfers between Huawei and Apple devices. This new function allows for short-range wireless transfers of photos and documents without requiring data plans.
The company stated that the function "breaks down device boundaries and allows for more flexible data flow," a feature similar to Apple’s AirDrop. It demonstrates Huawei’s efforts to enhance the user experience of its mobile operating system.
HarmonyOS 6 is expected to be available on more than 90 Huawei devices. This includes the Mate 70 and Pura 80 smartphones.
The Shenzhen-based company continues to compete against Android and Apple’s iOS in China, the world's largest smartphone market. HarmonyOS has maintained its lead over Apple’s iOS for six consecutive quarters on the mainland.
Counterpoint Research reported that HarmonyOS accounted for 17% of China’s smartphone operating system market in the second quarter, surpassing iOS’s 16%. HarmonyOS is China’s second-largest mobile operating system, trailing Android which holds a dominant 66% share.
The company also highlighted the growing number of artificial intelligence agents available on HarmonyOS 6. These AI software programs autonomously perform tasks on behalf of users or other systems.
More than 80 AI agents are now accessible on HarmonyOS 6, according to Richard Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei’s consumer business group. This marks an increase from the over 50 AI agents estimated when the beta version of HarmonyOS 6 became available.
These agents are based on the HarmonyOS Agent Framework, a toolkit for developers, and include Huawei’s self-developed AI assistant Xiaoyi. Third-party developers have also created agents, such as an AI-powered itinerary assistant by Trip.com and a health manager by Ant Group.
Tencent Holdings has released more than 60 apps on the HarmonyOS platform. For HarmonyOS 6, Tencent introduced new live-streaming and AI reading apps for its news portal, Tencent News.
HarmonyOS 6 now enables direct file transfers between Huawei and Apple devices.
The operating system is expected to be available on over 90 Huawei devices.
HarmonyOS holds 17% of China's smartphone OS market, surpassing iOS.
Source: SCMP