OpenHarmony: A New Dawn for Global Collaboration in Tech
April 17, 2025, 6:10 am
In the heart of Rotterdam, a technological revolution is brewing. The OpenHarmony Technical Forum recently made its European debut, marking a significant milestone in the world of open-source software. This event was not just a gathering; it was a symphony of ideas, innovation, and collaboration. With over 100 attendees and more than 21,000 online viewers, the forum showcased the potential of OpenHarmony to reshape the digital landscape.
The forum's theme, “OpenHarmony Technology Innovation and Ecosystem Practice,” set the stage for discussions that spanned the latest advancements in operating systems. The Technical Steering Committee (TSC) of OpenHarmony led the charge, supported by esteemed institutions like the Dresden Research Center and the Amsterdam Research Center. Together, they forged a platform for experts from Europe and China to share insights and strategies.
Haibo Chen, the Founding Chair of the OpenHarmony TSC, opened the event with a powerful keynote. He painted a picture of a world where intelligent terminal operating systems drive economic growth. His vision was clear: software technology is the backbone of digital transformation. OpenHarmony, with its robust architectural design and core features, is poised to be a key player in this transformation.
The forum also highlighted the importance of collaboration. Juan Rico from the Eclipse Foundation discussed the Oniro project, which aims to bridge the gap in smart device interoperability. For years, smart devices have struggled with fragmentation and complexity. OpenHarmony offers a glimmer of hope, enabling seamless connectivity across devices. This cooperation between the Eclipse Foundation and the OpenAtom Foundation is a testament to the power of collaboration in overcoming technological hurdles.
Jaroslaw Marek, another key speaker, provided a roadmap for developers and device makers. His insights into the Oniro project emphasized the need to avoid technology silos and reduce development costs. The challenges of IoT fragmentation are real, but Marek's vision for a unified ecosystem is inspiring. It’s a call to action for developers to join the journey toward a more connected future.
Security was another critical topic. Yubin Xia from Shanghai Jiao Tong University discussed the importance of securing data on mobile devices. In a world where personal data is a goldmine, ensuring its safety is paramount. Xia's presentation on TEE OpenTrustee and Penglai highlighted the need for secure computing environments. OpenHarmony is not just about connectivity; it’s about creating a safe digital space for users.
The forum also showcased innovative developments in app creation. Kevin Boos from Futurewei introduced the integration of the Makepad UI toolkit with the Robius platform. This integration promises to streamline Rust app development, making it easier for developers to create applications without being bogged down by platform-specific code. The future of app development is bright, and OpenHarmony is at the forefront.
Magnus Morton from the Edinburgh Research Center introduced the Cangjie programming language, designed for native OpenHarmony applications. His insights into advanced features like effect handlers showcased the potential for more efficient and powerful application development. The landscape of programming is evolving, and Cangjie is a step toward a more versatile future.
The visual aspect of technology was not overlooked. Hatem ElKharashy from The Qt Company discussed advances in vector graphics rendering. His presentation on Qt Quick 3D highlighted the framework's capabilities in supporting 3D rendering. As applications become more visually complex, the need for robust rendering solutions becomes critical. OpenHarmony’s support for these advancements positions it as a leader in the field.
Rakhi Sharma from Igalia took the stage to discuss the Servo rendering engine. Built in Rust, Servo offers memory safety and concurrency advantages. This is crucial for developing high-performance applications in a distributed web ecosystem. Sharma's vision for lightweight applications on OpenHarmony is a glimpse into the future of web development.
Yang Liu from HopeRun Software shared insights into building a new industrial interconnection ecosystem with OpenHarmony. His focus on transitioning from a technology-driven to a business-driven strategy is a reminder that technology must serve real-world needs. HopeRun’s solutions are expanding into various sectors, showcasing the versatility of OpenHarmony.
The forum concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Yutao Liu. The dialogue among experts emphasized the importance of strengthening local developer communities and promoting collaborative innovation. OpenHarmony’s advantages in multi-device connectivity and its “One OS Kit for All” approach resonate with the European market's needs. The consensus was clear: the future of OpenHarmony in Europe is bright, but challenges remain.
As the dust settles on this landmark event, one thing is certain: OpenHarmony is not just a project; it’s a movement. A movement toward a more connected, secure, and innovative digital future. The forum in Rotterdam was just the beginning. The journey ahead is filled with opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth. OpenHarmony is ready to lead the charge, and the world is watching.
The forum's theme, “OpenHarmony Technology Innovation and Ecosystem Practice,” set the stage for discussions that spanned the latest advancements in operating systems. The Technical Steering Committee (TSC) of OpenHarmony led the charge, supported by esteemed institutions like the Dresden Research Center and the Amsterdam Research Center. Together, they forged a platform for experts from Europe and China to share insights and strategies.
Haibo Chen, the Founding Chair of the OpenHarmony TSC, opened the event with a powerful keynote. He painted a picture of a world where intelligent terminal operating systems drive economic growth. His vision was clear: software technology is the backbone of digital transformation. OpenHarmony, with its robust architectural design and core features, is poised to be a key player in this transformation.
The forum also highlighted the importance of collaboration. Juan Rico from the Eclipse Foundation discussed the Oniro project, which aims to bridge the gap in smart device interoperability. For years, smart devices have struggled with fragmentation and complexity. OpenHarmony offers a glimmer of hope, enabling seamless connectivity across devices. This cooperation between the Eclipse Foundation and the OpenAtom Foundation is a testament to the power of collaboration in overcoming technological hurdles.
Jaroslaw Marek, another key speaker, provided a roadmap for developers and device makers. His insights into the Oniro project emphasized the need to avoid technology silos and reduce development costs. The challenges of IoT fragmentation are real, but Marek's vision for a unified ecosystem is inspiring. It’s a call to action for developers to join the journey toward a more connected future.
Security was another critical topic. Yubin Xia from Shanghai Jiao Tong University discussed the importance of securing data on mobile devices. In a world where personal data is a goldmine, ensuring its safety is paramount. Xia's presentation on TEE OpenTrustee and Penglai highlighted the need for secure computing environments. OpenHarmony is not just about connectivity; it’s about creating a safe digital space for users.
The forum also showcased innovative developments in app creation. Kevin Boos from Futurewei introduced the integration of the Makepad UI toolkit with the Robius platform. This integration promises to streamline Rust app development, making it easier for developers to create applications without being bogged down by platform-specific code. The future of app development is bright, and OpenHarmony is at the forefront.
Magnus Morton from the Edinburgh Research Center introduced the Cangjie programming language, designed for native OpenHarmony applications. His insights into advanced features like effect handlers showcased the potential for more efficient and powerful application development. The landscape of programming is evolving, and Cangjie is a step toward a more versatile future.
The visual aspect of technology was not overlooked. Hatem ElKharashy from The Qt Company discussed advances in vector graphics rendering. His presentation on Qt Quick 3D highlighted the framework's capabilities in supporting 3D rendering. As applications become more visually complex, the need for robust rendering solutions becomes critical. OpenHarmony’s support for these advancements positions it as a leader in the field.
Rakhi Sharma from Igalia took the stage to discuss the Servo rendering engine. Built in Rust, Servo offers memory safety and concurrency advantages. This is crucial for developing high-performance applications in a distributed web ecosystem. Sharma's vision for lightweight applications on OpenHarmony is a glimpse into the future of web development.
Yang Liu from HopeRun Software shared insights into building a new industrial interconnection ecosystem with OpenHarmony. His focus on transitioning from a technology-driven to a business-driven strategy is a reminder that technology must serve real-world needs. HopeRun’s solutions are expanding into various sectors, showcasing the versatility of OpenHarmony.
The forum concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Yutao Liu. The dialogue among experts emphasized the importance of strengthening local developer communities and promoting collaborative innovation. OpenHarmony’s advantages in multi-device connectivity and its “One OS Kit for All” approach resonate with the European market's needs. The consensus was clear: the future of OpenHarmony in Europe is bright, but challenges remain.
As the dust settles on this landmark event, one thing is certain: OpenHarmony is not just a project; it’s a movement. A movement toward a more connected, secure, and innovative digital future. The forum in Rotterdam was just the beginning. The journey ahead is filled with opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth. OpenHarmony is ready to lead the charge, and the world is watching.