Huawei unveils in-house operating system to replace windows
HUAWEI Technologies debuted its first in-house operating system for personal computers, offering an alternative to Microsoft's Windows as China pushes to replace American technologies amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The company's HarmonyOS is now ready to run on the MateBook Fold, its latest foldable laptop, consumer chief Richard Yu said on Monday (May 19). Huawei is working to make its operating system compatible with more than 2,000 apps, including the popular WeChat and QQ messaging platforms, he said.
The laptop features an 18-inch organic light-emitting diode screen when opened flat. Along with the Huawei MateBook Pro and MateBook Fold Ultimate Design laptops, it will be available from Jun 6. The cheapest model costs 7,999 yuan (S$1,438), ranging up to 26,999 yuan, according to Yu. The company also introduced a traditional HarmonyOS-powered laptop for government and enterprise clients.
Yu said American tech giants from Microsoft to Apple had failed to support a broad range of devices while they enjoyed full control over the industry.
'Windows and MacOS have been dominating the market for decades, leading to high concentration of mainstream app ecosystems and strong barriers,' Yu said during a live-streamed event. 'We chose the difficult but correct path, despite China being a latecomer with a weak foundation.'
The HarmonyOS has been Huawei's answer to Alphabet's Android operating system for smartphones, following the imposition of US restrictions in 2019 that cut the Chinese company off from the latest version of the world's most-used mobile platform. An array of the latest Huawei phones, including the Mate 70 and Pura X, are installed with the home-made software.
The entry into the personal computer (PC) system underscores Huawei's ambitions to capitalise on the US-China tech decoupling and position itself as a key software provider in the world's second-biggest economy.
Huawei is phasing out Windows on its PC product line as China drifts away from American technologies that it can replace. Best known for its hardware – from 5G base stations to trifold smartphones – Huawei is rapidly expanding its software ecosystem through HarmonyOS as it aims to connect all devices via a unified platform.
China's PC shipments are projected to grow 3 per cent this year, driven by gaming and artificial intelligence demands, according to research firm Canalys. The government's information security requirement also created a favourable environment for domestic brands. BLOOMBERG
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
World Bank cuts global growth forecast as trade tensions heighten uncertainty
The World Bank logo is seen at the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo An American flag flutters over a ship and shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro California, U.S., May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows electric vehicles (EV) for export and containers sitting at a port in Shanghai, China April 13, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo WASHINGTON - The World Bank on Tuesday slashed its global growth forecast for 2025 by four-tenths of a percentage point to 2.3%, saying that higher tariffs and heightened uncertainty posed a "significant headwind" for nearly all economies. In its twice-yearly Global Economic Prospects report, the global lender lowered its forecasts for nearly 70% of all economies - including the U.S., China and Europe, as well as six emerging market regions - from the levels it projected six months ago before U.S. President Donald Trump took office. Trump has upended global trade with a series of on-again, off-again tariff hikes that have increased the effective U.S. tariff rate from below 3% to the mid-teens - its highest level in almost a century - and triggered retaliation by China and other countries. The World Bank is the latest body to cut its growth forecast as a result of Trump's erratic trade policies, although U.S. officials insist the negative consequences will be offset by a surge in investment and still-to-be approved tax cuts. It stopped short of forecasting a recession, but said global economic growth this year would be the weakest outside of a recession since 2008. By 2027, global gross domestic product growth was expected to average just 2.5%, the slowest pace of any decade since the 1960s. The report forecast that global trade would grow by 1.8% in 2025, down from 3.4% in 2024 and roughly a third of its 5.9% level in the 2000s. The forecast is based on tariffs in effect as of late May, including a 10% U.S. tariff on imports from most countries. It excludes increases that were announced by Trump in April and then postponed until July 9 to allow for negotiations. The World Bank said global inflation was expected to reach 2.9% in 2025, remaining above pre-COVID-19 levels, given tariff increases and tight labor markets. "Risks to the global outlook remain tilted decidedly to the downside," it wrote. The lender said its models showed that a further increase of 10 percentage points in average U.S. tariffs, on top of the 10% rate already implemented, and proportional retaliation by other countries, could shave another half of a percentage point off the outlook for 2025. Such an escalation in trade barriers would result "in global trade seizing up in the second half of this year ... accompanied by a widespread collapse in confidence, surging uncertainty and turmoil in financial markets," the report said. Nonetheless, it said the risk of a global recession was less than 10%. 'FOG ON A RUNWAY' Top officials from the U.S. and China are meeting in London this week to try to defuse a trade dispute that has widened from tariffs to restrictions over rare earth minerals, threatening a global supply chain shock and slower growth. "Uncertainty remains a powerful drag, like fog on a runway. It slows investment and clouds the outlook," World Bank Deputy Chief Economist Ayhan Kose told Reuters in an interview. But Kose said there were signs of increased dialogue on trade that could help dispel uncertainty, and supply chains were adapting to a new global trade map, not collapsing. Global trade growth could modestly rebound in 2026 to 2.4%, and developments in artificial intelligence could also boost growth, he said. "We think that eventually the uncertainty will decline," Kose said. "Once the type of fog we have lifts, the trade engine may start running again, but at a slower pace." Kose said while things could get worse, trade was continuing and China, India and others were still delivering robust growth. Many countries were also discussing new trade partnerships that could pay dividends later, he said. WHITE HOUSE PUSHES BACK The World Bank said the global outlook had "deteriorated substantially" since January, mainly due to advanced economies, which are now seen growing by just 1.2%, down half a percentage point, after expanding by 1.7% in 2024. The U.S. forecast was slashed by nine-tenths of a percentage point from its January forecast to 1.4%, and the 2026 outlook was lowered by four-tenths of a percentage point to 1.6%. Rising trade barriers, "record-high uncertainty" and a spike in financial market volatility were expected to weigh on private consumption, trade and investment, it said. The White House pushed back against the forecast, citing recent economic data that it said pointed to a stronger economy. "The World Bank's prognostications are untethered to the data: investment in real business equipment surged by nearly 25% in Q1 of 2025; real disposable personal income grew by a robust 0.7% month-over-month in April; and Americans have now seen three consecutive expectation-beating jobs and inflation reports," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. He added that a sweeping budget package currently making its way through Congress would provide tax relief and "further turbo-charge America's economic resurgence under President Trump." The World Bank cut growth estimates in the euro zone by three-tenths of a percentage point to 0.7% and in Japan by half a percentage point to 0.7%. It said emerging markets and developing economies were expected to grow by 3.8% in 2025 versus 4.1% in the forecast in January. Poor countries would suffer the most, the report said. By 2027, developing economies' per capita GDP would be 6% below pre-pandemic levels, and it could take these countries - minus China - two decades to recoup the economic losses of the 2020s. Mexico, heavily dependent on trade with the U.S., saw its growth forecast cut by 1.3 percentage points to 0.2% in 2025. The World Bank left its forecast for China unchanged at 4.5% from January, saying Beijing still had monetary and fiscal space to support its economy and stimulate growth. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
International Business Times
4 hours ago
- International Business Times
Gold Edges Up as Investors Await US–China Talks and Inflation Data
There was the aroma of uncertainty lingering over trading desks on Tuesday. As gold crept up, investors struggled with the hope that diplomatic talks between the U.S. and China might bring about peace of mind. Many thought it was only one data point away from relief—or dashed hopes—when U.S. inflation figures land this week. Gold spot added 0.3% to $3,336.33 per ounce as of 12:24 GMT after having fallen previously to $3,301.54. American gold futures also reported modest advances, increasing 0.1% to $3,357.20. The uptick could not, however, muster full-fledged bullishness. "Gold found certain support during the dip-buying, but the uptick did not reflect bullishness," said Reliance Securities senior commodity analyst Jigar Trivedi. Meanwhile, top U.S.–China trade officials gathered in London for the next round of discussions. They aim to defuse tensions that have spread beyond tariffs to cover critical issues such as rare earth materials. The temporary suspension of tit-for-tat tariffs, which took effect last month, has provided some relief to global markets. Gold prices remained largely unchanged last week, although they successfully held support near the $3,330 level. Much of that resilience is attributed to China's continued gold imports through Hong Kong, with the latest data showing another increase, signaling strong physical demand. In line with this trend, analysts suggest that the upcoming U.S. CPI data could influence short-term movements, with some expecting prices to approach $3,500 if trade risks and inflationary pressures persist. Next week's spotlight is firmly on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), scheduled for release on Wednesday. This key inflation metric will be the Federal Reserve's most significant data point ahead of its June 17–18 policy meeting. Market sentiment remains cautious. Investors have revised their expectations from two anticipated rate cuts to just one, likely in October 2024. "Traders will likely wait for the upcoming CPI data, which could provide the first clear signals of the Fed's next move," market analysts said. The United States dollar has weakened marginally this week, which has supported gold recovery. A modestly lower dollar can be supportive of gold, as it makes the metal cheaper for buyers using other currencies. Should the CPI data reveal that inflation has slowed, it may increase the likelihood of a rate reduction in September or October. This could give the metal a further boost. Other precious metals also recovered. Spot silver was unchanged at 36.72 dollars per ounce, not far from a 13-year top. While palladium lost 1.4% to 1,059.02 dollars, platinum eased 0.1% to 1,218.85. Global oil production also increased as OPEC+ nations pumped 26.75 million barrels per day in May, helping put a lid on broader commodity markets and soothing inflation concerns. As markets await the CPI print and updates from London trade discussions, gold remains on cautious footing, balancing between data-driven recovery and lingering global trade concerns.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pentagon chief vows to honour Aukus nuclear-powered sub deal
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth testifying before House members at the US Capitol on June 10. PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON - Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sought on June 10 to reassure lawmakers over the US pledge to supply Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, amid growing concern that production is not rolling out quickly enough to meet the commitment. Under the Aukus deal signed to great fanfare in 2021, Washington, London and Canberra are cooperating on the joint development of cyber warfare tools, artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles. The agreement commits the US to building cutting-edge submarines for Australia, an investment with an estimated cost of up to US$235 billion (S$300 billion) over 30 years. Australia plans to acquire at least three Virginia Class submarines from the US within the next 15 years, eventually manufacturing its own nuclear-powered subs. The US navy has 24 Virginia-class vessels, which can carry cruise missiles, but American shipyards are struggling to meet production targets set at two new boats each year. Critics question why the US would sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia without stocking its own military first. Questioned by members of the US House of Representatives, Mr Hegseth said his team was talking 'every day' to US shipbuilders Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls to ensure that 'their needs not only are being met, but their shortfalls are being addressed.' The former Fox News host, one of President Donald Trump's most divisive Cabinet appointments, acknowledged a 'gap' between current supply and future demand, but added that submarine building is 'crucial' to US security. He blamed Mr Trump's Democratic predecessor, Mr Joe Biden, for having 'neglected' the industrial base for submarine construction. While the stealthy Virginia class is an attack and intelligence gathering submarine designed for a wide range of missions, the Columbia class is a ballistic missile carrier built for nuclear deterrence that will be the largest submarine ever built by the US. Democrat Rosa DeLauro – whose home state of Connecticut builds Navy submarines – berated Mr Hegseth over the Pentagon's decision to move US$3.1 billion earmarked in 2026 for Columbia-class construction to 2027 and 2028. 'Is that going to raise alarm bells across the defence industrial base by signlaling a lack of commitment to the programme?' she asked. Mr Hegseth committed to the 'on-time' delivery of the vessels. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
