It was a bad weekend and a bad start of the week for Huawei – the world’s second-biggest smartphone maker – as its android license was revoked by Google following the directive of the US Government. The action was followed by a number of US chipmakers joining the ban.
The Response
Huawei has issued its first, limited response, which leaves more questions open than it answers in a statement emailed to The Verge. The company reassures current owners of Huawei and (subsidiary brand) Honor phones that they will continue to receive security updates and after-sales service. That promise also covers phones that are already shipped and in stock at stores globally, but no additional promises are made beyond that.
“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 that have been sold and that are 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.”
Google had already on its official twitter page, said that owners of Huawei phones will retain their access to the Play Store and continue being able to update their apps.
“For Huawei users’ questions regarding our steps to comply w/ the recent U.S. government actions: We assure you while we are complying with all U.S. gov’t requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device,” Google’s Android account tweeted.
The big thing that’s being written out of their future, however, are further Android OS updates from Google.
