Launch event of Huawei's new Smart Screen in Dongguan on Monday Photo:Shen Weiduo/GT

Huawei launched a new variety of S-series Smart Screen, and a vehicle-mounted smart screen carrying the updated Harmony operating system (OS) on Monday, representing another major step towards building a complete ecosystem based on its own operating system.

Powered by the HarmonyOS, the new S-series targets a younger generation of consumers, and could have smart multi-screen features, smart acoustics and a camera for videocalls and fitness apps.

The new smart screen is among one of Huawei's very first products carrying the updated operating system HarmonyOS 2.0. Huawei released the test version of HarmonyOS 2.0 to developers in September this year, and just launched a version for mobile phone on December 16.

"Our previous smart screen products will also support the latest HarmonyOS 2.0,"

Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei's customer business, told the launch event on Monday, adding that relying on the distributed capabilities, and continuous update of HarmonyOS, Huawei Smart Screen breaks through the limitations of traditional TV hardware and software upgrades.

Huawei's smart TV screen products and some home appliances that use the HarmonyOS are already available to Chinese consumers, smartphones, as well as Huawei tablets, will be equipped with the HarmonyOS starting next year, a Huawei employee told the Global Times. 

The launch event was held in the headquarters of the Chinese tech firm in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, which is also its last offline launch event for 2020.

Yu also unveiled the firm's smart home strategy during the event, saying Huawei aims for providing "All In One" solution for a whole smart house and promote a new era in intelligent home appliances.

Industry analysts said that Huawei's foray into smart homes area also shows its ambition for survival amid risks of US chip ban, which have suppressed the development of its smartphone businesses and "forced "it to extend into in adjacent sectors including auto, home appliances, and laptops. 

Yu Chengdong's personal appearance highlights the importance Huawei is now attaching to the smart home sector. Driven by external pressure, the Chinese tech firm is also constantly adjusting the development direction and growth strategy of smart terminal products, Ma Jihua, a veteran industry and a close follower of Huawei, told the Global Times on Monday.

Similar to its strategy seen in the auto industry, Yu stressed at the event that Huawei will not manufacture home appliances products itself, but will support and promote digitalization process in the industry.