I have been following the Huawei news (or issues if you may call) for weeks and some might have thought that I am a staunch supporter of the brand. The fact is that I support based on facts. And up till now, I am still waiting for the facts to say that Huawei has done something wrong.
This post is NOT about me. It is about Huawei users. What is the latest status of the Huawei ban since 20th May when it all started?
Based on Singapore timeline (estimated but almost accurate), here are the chain of events.
Chain of Events
- 20th May 2019 – Google announced the suspension of some businesses with Huawei
- 21st May 2019 – US Government eased the ban and delayed it for 3 months
- 21st to 31st May 2019 – Major Tech associations began dropping Huawei from their website/organizations.
- During these time, rumors of a Huawei OS emerges. It might be called Hongmeng.
- And in the same timeframe, the name Ark OS has been trademarked in some European cities leading to speculation that the new Huawei OS is called Ark OS.
- Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has also fronted many media interviews on the “crisis” that his company is having. However, he makes it so cool that you start to believe everything is going to be ok.
- 31st May 2019 – Major Tech Associations reinstated Huawei and Huawei continued their launches of the P30 Pro (512GB) in Amber Sunrise
- 3rd Jun 2019 – Huawei issued a Press Release stating how Singaporeans are still supporting the brand (see below for the Press Release).
- 7th June 2019 – Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp will not be pre-installed on Huawei phones
- 7th June 2019 – This is something interesting (and the good news I am talking about). The company, Google, that started it all, surprisingly used the same argument to urge the US Government to exempt Android from the Huawei’s ban in the name of National Security. Read more from HERE.
- Not sure how this will play out and now we have rumors that Huawei OS might not be called the Ark OS after all. It might be called the Oak OS and might be ready in August/September timeframe,
In my opinion, I hope everything will be back to normal. I know that many think that Huawei can survive using their own OS. I believe it is doable in China but will be extremely difficult in other countries.
For example, official apps from many companies or services (including Government ones) that have been approved by Google will be the biggest hit.
No companies will want to re-develop an app without the majority of users using that OS. It is a chicken and egg story. In the end, if the OS has not garnered enough supporters, it will not be supported and forgotten (Windows Phone OS, BlackBerry OS, Nokia Symbian to name a few).
But (there is always a but) if Huawei manages it so well that the take up rate is so high, there is a chance. Or if the Huawei OS can run native Android apps, there might be a silver lining on this issue.
All of these are speculations and I am sure many people already know or foresee how this game is going, moving forward.
I think the war has started. Huawei or any big companies now knows how vulnerable they are if they rely on other countries’ technologies. This might trigger a search for an alternative solutions for things like hardware, software, partnership and etc. It is a lose-lose situation for all, in the name of trade war.
Let’s hope this will not happen. Read below on how Singaporeans feel about the brand Huawei.
Press Release
‘I would still buy the phone in a heartbeat’: Huawei continues to attract customers in Singapore against the odds
From a telecommunications network company to a global consumer electronics brand, Huawei has grown tremendously to become the tech juggernaut that it is today – mostly with the unwavering support from its customers
SINGAPORE, JUNE 3, 2019 – Last weekend, tech enthusiasts and shoppers gathered at The PC Show to experience the latest HUAWEI P30 Pro featuring a ground breaking Leica quad camera system, better known for its zoom and low-light capabilities. In the same weekend, Huawei smartphone users were also given a complimentary phone care service on its monthly Service Day at its customer service centres located at 313@Somerset and Westgate.
Keen supporters and long-time users of Huawei were unfazed by recent events and instead expressed a resounding vote of confidence for the brand.
Ms. Wei Ling, age 31, commented that, “I am not too concerned about the current situation and i believe Huawei will be able to come up with a solution given their strong roots in the technology sector. I will still recommend a Huawei phone to my friends because of its quality especially when it comes to the camera and battery performance.”
Echoing this, Mr. Joe Lum, age 46, said, “I’ve been using many other phones before but nothing quite captures the great photo quality like the Huawei phone does. I would still buy the phone in a heartbeat because its cameras are amazing for a photography enthusiast like myself.”
“Photography is one thing, but for me I have always wanted a phone for usability and the Huawei P20 Pro has the best of everything,” commented Ms. Wen Qi. “My friends and I have the same phone and we plan on keeping our phones because it still works great. Huawei is such a big company and I am sure they will be able to overcome any challenges they face.”
The company is dedicated to create meaningful products and technologies whilst putting customers at the centre of its business. In 2018, Huawei invested 14.1% of its sales revenue (CNY101.5 billion) in R&D, ranking fifth globally in the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard.
More than just a brand name; values of resilience and tenacity displayed by Huawei gain respect among customers
Starting out with humble beginnings as a producer of phone switches since 1987, to building telecommunication networks and consumer electronics, Huawei has made big strides over the years in growing its customer base with over 55 million smartphones sold globally in the first quarter, cementing its position as the second largest smartphone vendor in the world.
Whilst many gravitate towards the brand for its outstanding offerings, some had more to say about the brand that go beyond functionalities and product.
“I trust Huawei and their products. As an international company, they will do what’s best for a consumer. For a brand that has grown so fast, it is a force to be reckoned with,” said Mr. Wilson Ng. “Personally, I respect the brand being able to withstand the challenges and hardships that they’ve been put through with such humility and grace.”
Ms. See Ying, age 23, who is a first-time user of Huawei with the P30 Pro, feels that there are plenty of opportunities ahead for the brand. “There is a famous quote that goes ‘in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity’. I have faith that Huawei will always be able to continue making innovative products in any circumstances as it is such a resilient and strong company.”
A long-time supporter, Mr. Daniel Lim, age 31, said, “There are no other phones that are in the same league as Huawei given its solid hardware. Its innovations are driven by the company’s relentless attitude and I believe that it’s a brand that is here to stay no matter the ongoing challenges.”
In Singapore, Huawei has doubled its growth year-on-year and is expanding its services including Service Day that is held on the first weekend of every month to provide after-sales care for a growing customer base.
“The backbone of our success over the years has always been our customers who support the brand and believe in the innovations we offer,” a spokesperson from Huawei Consumer Business Group Singapore said. “We’ll like to thank all our supporters for believing in us. We would have never been able to come this far without the support of our customers.”
For more information, please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/sg/ and https://www.huawei.com/en/facts.
About Huawei Consumer BG
Huawei’s products and services are available in more than 170 countries, and are used by a third of the world’s population. Sixteen R&D centers have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. Huawei Consumer BG is one of Huawei’s three business units and covers smartphones, PC and tablets, wearables and cloud services, etc. Huawei’s global network is built on almost 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world.
For more information please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/sg/ or find us @huaweimobilesg on social media.