US Eases Restrictions on Huawei for 3 Months

If you are on the Internet, you might have come across this news. If you own a Huawei phone, you might be worried about its future. Here is what you should know.

Based on the latest news from Reuters, the US Commerce Department has temporary ease the restrictions on Huawei for 3 months (till 21st August 2019). Huawei will be able to continue to purchase US products to maintain networks and software updates to existing products (but not make new products)

Seems like US might have under-estimated the effect of imposing the ban on Chinese companies (as US companies have started to check their policies and stop their suppliers/partners in order to adhere to the ban).

Nevertheless, here is an assurance from Google Android if you own a Huawei handset.

If you cannot see, here is the content.

For Huawei users’ questions regarding our steps to comply w/ the recent US government actions: We assure you while we are complying with all US gov’t requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device.

So, if you have a Huawei phone, chances are that you will continue to enjoy the updates. But future Huawei phones, if they are still using Android (open source), will not have the support from Google and they cannot use Google services.

And if this is not helping you to relieve your anxiety, here is the official statement from Huawei.

Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.

Huawei will 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.

Actually, many people like myself do not know what Huawei means in their statement. The first paragraph seems to be a “complain” at Google based on their close relationship.

The second paragraph is aligned to what was being tweeted (about the support on existing handsets). And the last paragraph is interesting. It says that Huawei will “continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem”.

Based on Huawei Central, Huawei has been building its own OS since 2012 and the codename is “Hongmeng” and is based on Linux.

However, from past history, we know that it is not easy to maintain another OS in the eco-system. We have seen the failure of BlackBerry and Windows Phone OS through these years. The fact that an OS can survive is mainly because of the users. If a new OS comes up from nowhere, chances that many will not want to try.

That is not all the bad news for Huawei though. Based on information, Intel, Qualcomm, and Broadcom have suspended their dealings with Huawei with immediate effect.

And if this is not bad enough, the ban could impact their laptop businesses as well. Microsoft has yet to respond but I suspect it will be similar to the rest of the American companies. Actually, Huawei is going to launch the latest Huawei MateBook series in Singapore this week. Seems like there might be some changes in the plan.

And as for Huawei sub-brand, Honor. It is going to launch their flagship model, the Honor 20 Series, in London tomorrow. The event will still continue from my understanding.

This is really a bad weekend for Huawei. Hopefully, we can hear more from them.

BTW, if you think the affected company is only Huawei, think again. It could be any businesses from any companies in the world. Just a flip of the switch and you are out.

(source)
(source2)
(source3)
(source4)