Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Users of Huawei have been told not to panic over the announcement by Google that it would restrict the use of its Android operating system on smartphones produced by the Chinese company.
Last week, President Donald Trump of the United States of America (USA) signed an executive order declaring a national emergency regarding telecommunications equipment that could pose a risk to national security. The order restricts American companies from using any telecommunications equipment that the secretary of Commerce declares to be a national security risk.
When this order was signed, many observers were of the view that it was directed at China and Huawei, world’s second biggest smartphone maker.
In recent times, China and the United States have been at loggerheads, with many fearing that the lingering trade war could explode to something else.
A moment ago, Google prevented Huawei from some updates to the Android operating system, dealing a blow to the Chinese company.
But the management of Huawei has responded to the ban, assuring its users that that it would continue to give them quality services.
“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 Honour 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,” the phone maker said.
With this restriction, new designs of Huawei smartphones may no longer have access to some Google apps, including YouTube and Maps.
However, Huawei can still use the version of the Android operating system available through an open source licence.
Also, existing Huawei smartphone users will be able to update apps and push through security fixes, as well as update Google Play services.
But when Google launches the next version of Android later this year, it may not be available on Huawei devices.
