Preface: This article is compiled from a community submission. All names and project details are fictional. The core content has been edited for clarity. Any resemblance to real events is coincidental.
An urgent request emerged regarding a GIS business system we developed three years ago. Their management had recently switched to Huawei triple-foldable phones, revealing significant compatibility issues with our system.
Two Technical Challenges
HarmonyOS NEXT Compatibility
The mobile GIS application was originally developed as a wrapped app using web technologies (HTML5, Vue.js) packaged through WebView. While cost-effective for cross-platform deployment at the time, the new HarmonyOS NEXT system presented fundamental compatibility challenges.
Unlike previous versions, HarmonyOS NEXT operates without Android kernel or AOSP code. Although it supports WebView runtime, full compatibility requires significant re-adaptation work, including generating new .hap installation packages alongside existing .apk and .ipa files.
Triple-Fold Screen UI Adaptation
The triple-foldable screen introduced dynamic aspect ratios and resolutions, allowing seamless transition between phone, tablet, and large-screen modes. Our GIS dashboard interface, designed for fixed screen sizes, failed to adapt to this flexible display format.
The responsive design broke completely: maps stretched disproportionately, UI elements overlapped, and text overflowed. Traditional responsive design approaches proved inadequate for this new generation of dynamically resizable screens.
Contractual Considerations
The original contract specified compatibility with "mainstream operating systems including iOS 15.0+ and Android 12.0+," but made no mention of HarmonyOS. Adapting to the new OS and screen technology constituted significant new development work beyond original maintenance scope.
Key Lessons
- Contract Specifications: Technical contracts must clearly define compatibility boundaries and version support timelines. While successfully specifying Android and iOS provided contractual protection, the absence of version duration clauses remains a vulnerability.
- Technological Evolution: GIS systems face increasing impact from hardware and OS evolution. Professionals must continuously track device and platform trends, particularly within the Huawei ecosystem which increasingly serves GIS clients in China.
- Partnership Approach: Shifting from project-based delivery to ongoing technology partnership enables smoother handling of compatibility issues. Proactive communication about technology trends and upgrade roadmaps helps clients view systems as requiring continuous investment rather than one-time deliverables.
The resolution involved providing adaptations while securing future project work, demonstrating the importance of balancing contractual obligations with relationship management.