Huawei has officially revealed HarmonyOS 5, its new operating system for laptops and desktop PCs. The company plans to move away from Microsoft Windows and use its own software on future computers.
HarmonyOS 5 is built on the same structure as Huawei’s smartphone version. It features its own HarmonyOS Kernel, StarShield security, and the Ark Engine, which Huawei claims offers better performance than Windows—though no clear data was shared.
The system looks familiar to Windows users. It has a taskbar at the bottom, a desktop with apps and widgets, and pinned apps in the center. On the right side of the taskbar, users can see battery status, time, and access quick settings.
A special AI button opens a chatbot window, similar to Microsoft Copilot. This AI can interact with documents and apps, helping users perform tasks more easily.
HarmonyOS 5 includes multitasking features like viewing all open windows with a three-finger swipe. Huawei also added dynamic lighting effects and animated wallpapers for a modern feel.
Like Apple’s ecosystem, HarmonyOS 5 can connect smoothly with Huawei smartphones and tablets. Users can type messages on their phones using a PC keyboard or copy and paste files between devices.
Huawei says many third-party apps will support the new system. However, HarmonyOS 5 is mainly for the Chinese market and is not expected to launch in the West anytime soon.
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