Huawei’s devices have lost access to some updates on the Android Operating System from Google. The new designs of Huawei’s devices and smartphones will not have access to some google apps.What this means is that Huawei smartphones will not be able to update apps and push through security fixes, as well as update google play services.
Possibly, when Google launches the next version of Android later this year, it may not be available on Huawei devices. The future devices may no longer access the Youtube and the maps.
However, Huawei can still use the version of update google play services. Android Operating System available through an open source license. This development obviously has big implications for Huawei.
Google explains its reasons for the move saying it was “complying with the order and reviewing the implications”.
Huawei said it would continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those have been sold or still in stock globally.
“We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally,” it added.
In a press briefing, China said it “supports the relevant company [Huawei] to defend its legitimate rights according to law.”
Last Wednesday, the Trump administration added Huawei to its entity list”, which bans the company from acquiring technology from US firms without government approval.
The Huawei chief executive says it (Huawei) have already been preparing for this. He said the firm, which buys about $67bn (£52.6bn) worth of components each year according to the Nikkei business newspaper, would push ahead with developing its own parts.
A lot of countries have raised concerns about possibility of Huawei’s equipment being used by China for surveillance: arguments the company has vehemently denied.
Huawei has said its work does not pose any threats and that it is independent from the Chinese government.
However, some countries have blocked telecoms companies from using Huawei products in 5G mobile networks.
So far the UK has held back from any formal ban.
“Huawei has been working hard on developing its own App Gallery and other software assets in a similar manner to its work on chipset solutions. There is little doubt these efforts are part of its desire to control its own destiny,” said Mr Wood.
Effects on Huawei
In the short term, this might mean loss of revenue as customers would not want to have smartphones that lacked access to google play store. However, in the long run, the smartphone vendors might begin to look for alternatives to the android operating system.
Huawei seems to have been prepared for this as they disclosed earlier in the year of making plans for their own operating system. This might knock-off the possibility of Huawei toping Samsung to become the bestselling smartphone brand in 2020 seriously of course.
How does this affect the China-US trade war?
This move by Google and the US government will definitely escalate the tensions between the two countries. Earlier this month, Washington more than doubled tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own tariff hikes on US products.
The move surprised some – and rattled global markets – as the situation had seemed to be nearing a conclusion.
The US-China trade war has weighed on the global economy over the past year and created uncertainty for businesses and consumers.
