Huawei Technologies, the second biggest mobile phone maker and the biggest telco network provider has been hogging the tech and business headlines since the US put the company in the Entity List last month. The US Entity List is published by the US Department of Commerce and contains a list of businesses, research institutions, governments and people that the department believes to pose a threat to the United States. US companies are not allowed to do business with companies that are on the entity list.
Huawei was added to the list as the US Department of Commerce believes that “Huawei is engaged in activities that are contrary to US national security or foreign policy interest”.
While tech analysts believe that putting Huawei on the list is nothing about security but more on the on-going trade impasse between the US and China, still many Huawei users are alarmed even with the assurance from both Google and Huawei that existing phones would not be affected by the ban.
MB Technews reached out to Huawei to ask questions from users, and we got their reply.
Huawei assured users that security updates and after sales services will continue. Current Huawei device owners will still be able to use Google Play and Gmail. Huawei also points out that devices that are in stock wouldn’t be affected. Even if users factory resets their Huawei device, it will still have Google installed.
When asked if they will use the upcoming Android Q OS, Huawei said there will be more details revealed in the future. The rumors of Huawei launching their own operating system was also shot down, citing they will continue to prioritize using Android.
Along with Google, SDA and Wi-Fi Alliance have removed Huawei’s membership. Huawei users are asking if this means that SD cards will no longer work in Huawei devices. Huawei however, assures consumers that they can still use SD cards for Huawei smartphones. It should be noted that Huawei has also launched its own designed Nano Memory (NM) Card for new devices as replacement for SD card.
Here’s our conversation with Huawei:
Will this have an impact on Huawei’s existing sales? How much of an impact will this have on the mobile global business?
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.
Will people be able to continue using Google services like Google Play and Gmail on their Huawei phones?
The products we have sold and currently sell will not be affected. You will be able to continue using these services as you normally would.
Will this affect the regular use of Huawei phones?
The products we have sold and currently sell will not be affected. You will be able to use them as you normally would.
Will people still be able to update their Google apps?
Yes.
Will Huawei phones support Android Q?
More details will be released in future system upgrade notifications.
Can Huawei smartphones still receive Google security patches?
Yes.
If people reset their Huawei phones to factory settings, will that have an impact on their ability to use Google services in the future?
No, this will not have an impact.
Will Huawei products that are not yet launched be affected?
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.
Does this mean that Huawei will speed up the development and deployment of its own operating system?
Android is open source, and Huawei has made substantial contributions to its development and growth around the world. We will continue to prioritize the development and use of the Android ecosystem.
SDA and the Wi-Fi alliance in compliance with the ban deleted the membership of Huawei. Will this affect the normal use of SD cards and Wi-Fi on Huawei smartphones?
The use of SD cards on Huawei smartphone won’t be affected. Consumers can continue purchasing and using these products. Also, the Wi-Fi functionality would not be affected. (On May 29, Huawei was relisted as a member in the Wi-Fi Alliance the SD Association)
Will Huawei release its own operating system on June 24?
No, this is an internet rumor. Regardless, thanks for your support and interest. Any information to this effect would be released through official channels.
Rumors that Huawei is cutting back production of smartphones in response to its placement on the US Commerce Department’s entity list. Is it true?
Huawei refutes these claims. Our global production levels are normal, with no notable adjustments in their direction.
Will Huawei product warranty cycle and product service quality be affected?
Huawei’s service rights and after-sales assurance are not affected, we will continue to provide consumers with quality service.
Facebook recently said that it would cut off Huawei from its social networking apps. What’s the effect of this action to users?
Facebook as an American company needs to comply with the order. Facebook-owned apps will not come pre-installed to unreleased phone units. This will only affect future phones that have not yet left the factory.
Can users still use Facebook on Huawei units?
Facebook-owned apps already installed on current phones will continue to work and receive updates normally. New Huawei owners will be able to download the apps through Play Store.