Huawei HarmonyOS development and beta rollout

Huawei has progressed the development and testing of its HarmonyOS ecosystem through new developer tools and expanded user beta phases.

Initially, the company introduced the DevEco CLI, an AI-enhanced command-line interface designed to automate development workflows such as project scaffolding, debugging, and syntax checking. This release coincided with the HarmonyOS 7 (API 26) Beta 2, which introduced a ‘Parallel View’ feature to improve multitasking on large-screen devices like tablets and foldables.

Following these developer-focused updates, Huawei launched a closed beta for HarmonyOS 7.0 that extends testing to voluntary users across more than 25 devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This version introduces enhanced device integration, such as using a tablet to unlock a paired smartphone, alongside new AI capabilities like the Xiaoyi assistant for offline call answering and conversation summaries. While the rollout includes new visual features and outdoor modes, some early testers have reported technical difficulties including high battery consumption and device overheating.