by Patience Maganzo
(News of The South) – Huawei technology to lose access to Google, following the cut off of it’s android license. Google barred the smartphone maker, which is currently the second most used android phone in Zimbabwe.
Huawei has grown a popularity in Zimbabwe due to it’s high spec phones which are affordable compared to it’s competitors, Apple and Samsung. This move follows a restrictive measure by Trump’s administration, when Huawei was added to the ban list of companies hence it requires firms to hold a license to trade with Huawei. Huawei was banned from acquiring technology from American firms without trading approval. These trade restrictions make it difficult for Huawei to do business as they need the technology provided by companies that include Intel and Qualcomm.
Implication of ban on Huawei users
Huawei users will be able to update and operate their smartphones operating system and applications provided by Google up until Google launches its next Android version. This is because of the issues to do with licensing. The new Android version may not be available on Huawei devices. The implications of loss of Google, Gmail and Google play store as well as tech support for the development of technology may have a negative impact on Huawei users unless the issues are resolved. Social media and digital marketing will prove impossible to access with time without the future android updates. Users and developers seem to prefer the android operating system as they have grown accustomed to its user interface. If Huawei cannot operate outside China, what does it mean for its customers outside China?
Huawei’s way forward
BBC News reports that Huawei said it has been trying to prepare a contingency plan for years. It has been working on developing its own operating system software in case it was ever banned from using Android. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei spoke to the press on Saturday explaining that Huawei has done nothing wrong, and that it has a backup plan. Huawei has developed its own operating system that is currently operating in China. Huawei’s chip making subsidiary, believes its chip technology can sustain the market, eliminating the essential need to use US companies, and if push comes to shove, they can scale down.
Huawei denied that its product posed a security threat to foreign nationals, as it was alleged that Chinese were using the smartphone technology for surveillance opportunities. As according to Reuters, Huawei was being accused of orchestrating Mass surveillance for china through their technology.
Unfortunately, Huawei might follow Microsoft’s unpopularity and loss of business, by making use of their own operating system software. We are yet to see how it will all play out as the tech company seems to be confident in their backup plan.
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