HarmonyOS 7.0 Beta1: On-Device A2A, 3DGS Spatial Computing, Instant App Startup

HarmonyOS 7.0 (API26) Developer Beta1 Overview

Huawei has released HarmonyOS 7.0 (API26) Developer Beta1, delivering new open capabilities across three pillars: smarter applications, more innovative experiences, and more efficient development. The release spans Ability Kit, ArkUI, ArkTS, Spatial Recon Kit, Audio Kit, and a new kernel-level fast startup technology.

Ability Kit: On-Device A2A and Intent Framework

On-Device A2A (Agent-to-Agent)

The Ark Agentic Framework (ArkAF) now exposes on-device A2A capability, allowing developers to integrate application-level intelligent agents seamlessly with system agents such as Xiaoyi. Key advantages:

Efficient integration: A2A interface connection reuses existing app UI without redevelopment.

Data security: Sensitive data processing and UI rendering remain on-device; privacy data never leaves the device.

Continuous evolution: Dynamic AgentCard registration enables runtime extension of agent capabilities, keeping agents "fresh" and driving new traffic to apps.

The framework supports multi-step task execution and dynamic function extension. Integration guide: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/agent-overview

Intent Framework with AI-Assisted Development

App functions can now be exposed as "intents" accessible via system entry points (voice assistant, smart recommendation cards). Developers configure Intent Skill in AI coding tools (e.g., DevEco Code), then prompt "generate intent for XX feature" to auto-generate intent code. This reduces manual coding effort significantly. Guide: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/insight-intent-overview

HarmonyOS Kernel Fast Startup: Breaking the Startup-Memory Trade-off

Traditional approaches face a "seesaw" dilemma: keeping apps alive in background speeds startup but consumes memory; cold starts save memory but suffer slow loads. HarmonyOS kernel fast startup resolves this via two innovations:

IO for compute, storage for memory: Application running state is persisted to storage, eliminating the need for keep-alive memory residency. On reopen, the saved state is read directly, bypassing massive deterministic computation during startup, achieving near-instant launch.

Microkernel architecture for process-level recovery: Leveraging the microkernel's fine-grained component decoupling, state space complexity is reduced from multiplicative to additive. Recoverable state is defined and recorded per process sub-module, enabling stable, efficient process-level restoration.

Integration guide: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/hyperstartup-application

ArkUI: Immersive Light-Sense Components Upgrade

Over 20 base components now support new material settings. The IMMERSIVE material serves as a transparent visual base, optimizing background translucency and weakening layer occlusion so users focus on underlying content.

Spatial Motion Effects

Light follows finger: Real-time light feedback on touch enhances immersion.

Light outlines: Dynamic light effects strengthen component boundary recognition, improving visual hierarchy.

Non-linear deformation: Simulates real-world object pop-out, giving interfaces tangible 3D feel.

Integration Approaches

One-click global config: In entry-type module's module.json5, configure metadata to enable spatial effects process-wide.

Component-level config: Call systemMaterial on a component, passing a material object with one of five thickness presets.

Guide: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/arkts-immersive-light-sense

Spatial Recon Kit: 3D Gaussian Splatting Reconstruction and Rendering

Spatial Recon Kit provides an end-to-end pipeline from image capture to on-device 3D reconstruction and stylized rendering.

Spatial Rendering

Load 3DGS models in MP4, PLY, GLB formats.

Apply rich filter interfaces: retro, comic, black-and-white bit, color editing, etc., for personalized rendering.

Spatial Reconstruction

Combines AR engine data structures with custom data frames for efficient reconstruction.

Software-hardware-chip co-optimization of core algorithm pipeline significantly reduces reconstruction time while improving accuracy and visual quality.

Guide: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/spatial-recon-c-spatial-recon-pipeline

Audio Kit: OHAudioSuite and Wireless Earphone Monitoring

OHAudioSuite: Node-Based Spatial Audio Pipeline

Complete node-based audio processing engine pipeline with 11 effect algorithm nodes: noise reduction, equalizer, beautification, voice change, spatial rendering, etc.

Enables simulation of diverse spatial sound effects and stereo sound fields, significantly enhancing immersive scene construction.

Noise reduction and voice beautification (CD, theater effects) improve speech clarity and overall audio quality for professional and daily communication scenarios.

Wireless Real-Time Earphone Monitoring

End-to-end software-hardware integration allows Huawei wireless earphone wearers to hear their own vocals in real time, enabling karaoke anywhere.

Guide: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/audio-suite-space-render

ArkTS: Developer Efficiency, Compilation Performance, Debugging Enhancements

Source-level annotations: New annotations improve cross-language interoperability efficiency.

Compilation performance: Optimized compile time, memory footprint, and artifact size.

Debugging and profiling: Enhanced memory leak detection, async stack logs, module crash reference chains, NAPI DFX async callback crash address printing.

Reference

Full system capability details: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-releases/overview-2600