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The Verge has a story about the latest in the US government's war against Huawei:
Following the US crackdown on Chinese technology companies, Google has cut off Huawei’s Android license, dealing a huge blow to the besieged phonemaker. Reuters first reported the news, and The Verge subsequently confirmed Google’s suspension of business with Huawei with a source familiar with the matter.
Reached for comment, a Google spokesperson said only “We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications.” The order, in this case, appears to be the US Commerce Department’s recent decision to place Huawei on the “Entity List,” which as Reuters reports is a list of companies that are unable to buy technology from US companies without government approval.
Speaking to Reuters, a Google spokesperson confirmed that “Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices.” So while existing Huawei phones around the world won’t be immediately impacted by the decision, the future of updates for those phones as well as any new phones Huawei would produce remains in question.
Huawei is now restricted to using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), cutting the company off from critical Google apps and services that consumers outside of China expect on Android devices. That also means Huawei will only be able to push security updates for Android once they’re made available in AOSP, assuming the company uses its own update system. It’s not clear yet how this will affect the full range of Android integrations that Huawei depends on, but we will update this story when we receive additional clarification about the impacts of Google’s decision.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:11PM (17 children)
So, let us see. Google boasts that Android OS is opensource. Can't Huawei fork it and go on with that from now on? Or is my understanding mistaken and incomplete somewhere?
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:20PM (14 children)
They can fork off any of those and continue as unbadged Android device. But they can't advertise themselves as Android with the cute little logo. They might be able to adverise AOSP or LineageOS, but it will severely impact their bottom line.
On the other hand, they could preinstall F-Droid, which has plenty of apps to keep the casual user occupied, is downright socialist in nature, and would help erode Google's dominion on app store purchases, giving legitimacy to an alternative that would help reduce their ad revenues related to 'free' android apps. By doing so they could in the long term harm Google far more than Google is harming them short term with this decision, and if they help support non-Huawei phones running Android without Google's extensions, they could even help erode US marketshare of licensed Android devices, leaving the potential open to upset the market in new and unexpected ways.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:44PM (1 child)
Punitive power...
Ain't it a bitch?
I, too, hope this turns into a real incentive to develop alternatives, but it's merely a dream. Resistance is nil
(Score: 2) by etherscythe on Tuesday May 21 2019, @01:15AM
OR - long shot here, but a few interesting points: Sailfish OS is outside of US control, and the company I'm sure would love to capture a huge audience. Finland and China do not, on the surface, make for natural allies. But it's got Android compatibility and a good amount of base polish. F-Droid+Sailfish on cheap Chinese hardware could sell like crazy in developing or highly populous countries.
"Fake News: anything reported outside of my own personally chosen echo chamber"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:46PM (1 child)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @10:01AM
> …does not have… banking
Ain't that a good thing?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Monday May 20 2019, @05:52PM (5 children)
Supposing they forked, and preinstall F-droid. Wouldn't that make Huawei's device more attractive to many of us, who resent all the online tracking? Up to the point that we discover that Huawei tracks us as much as Google does, at least. Even then - big deal, someone halfway around the world is tracking me. How likely are they to be selling my data to Walmart, Target, and Amazon?
What's that? You think they might be giving my data to the Chinese government? And, the Chinese government doesn't like my opinions, attitudes, politics, or religion? Ehhhh - I can live with all of that. They said WHAT? They don't like round eyed bastards like me? Now THOSE are fighting words!! LOL, just kidding. Who cares if they like the way I look.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @07:25PM (3 children)
Only if sharing all of your data with the Chinese government is what you consider "attractive". All your data, and your text messages, and your phone calls, and your location, and your emails, and your web history, and everything else ...
Yes, all your data. It's not about your opinions - most humans don't like your opinions no matter what country they're from. But if Huawei has access to the physical device - and they do - then any and all information is their's. Account numbers, passwords, security questions, your shoe size, your preference of lime jello over cherry, everything.
But what's the worst they could do, right? I mean, besides uploading some illegal content to your device. Of all the phone makers to trust Huawei is the most trustworthy, right?
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Dr Spin on Monday May 20 2019, @08:30PM
Sharing with the Chinese government is a less serious risk than sharing with Google, because Google's income depends on selling your privacy. The Chinese government's income is relatively independent of YOUR privacy.
I for one, would love Huawei to fork Android.
Even better, they could publish the APIs so open source fanatics could write them an OS for free AND SUPPORT IT. (I hope to hell it does not include systemd).
Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @09:28PM (1 child)
Which is comparable (ie not much worse or better) to sharing all of my data with the US government via Google...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @06:21AM
Actually unless you are a citizen or ex-citizen of China[1] or living in China you have more to fear from the US government than the Chinese government.
More so if you are living in the USA.
[1] The Chinese Gov has attacked citizens and ex-citizens living outside China. The USA has attacked non-citizens who have never stepped foot in the USA nor engaged in military action against the USA.
(Score: 2) by corey on Tuesday May 21 2019, @02:13AM
They could ship Yalp Store instead. That's what I use to access Google Store apps without any logins to Gapps on my phone.
(Score: 2) by Bot on Monday May 20 2019, @08:48PM (1 child)
>with the cute little logo
THAT'S CULTURAL APPROPRIATION, MEATBAGS
BLM - BATTERY LEVELS MATTER
Account abandoned.
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @09:49PM
We are gods to you robot, now get back to the factory floor before we replace your memory unit.
(Score: 2) by NateMich on Tuesday May 21 2019, @12:41AM
Look, I like F-Droid as well and have it installed on my phone for a couple of apps that I use. But you are seriously exaggerating. Your average consumer is not going to be at all happy with running F-Droid when in fact they want all those stupid apps that are only available on the play store.
(Score: 2) by corey on Tuesday May 21 2019, @02:25AM
I was thinking this too. This will harm Google no doubt. They want Android on as many phones as possible for revenue.
I think it will hurt Huawei in the short term but they'll adapt to the rules and be competitive in the long term.
I'm interested in the Intel halt on supply effect on their laptops which are receiving rave reviews this year (Matebook X Pro, Matebook 13, 14). Not like they can switch to AMD either.
Ah the fun of doing business with the US.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @09:42PM (1 child)
Sure they can, but without play services, it reduces its value as an android device, greatly.
Might as well build their own os/store at that rate.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @11:55PM
..and it would make them richer and more influential. I'd go with LineageOS and add my own app store if I was Huawai.
- "Could be done in a weekend."
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Monday May 20 2019, @05:29PM (6 children)
Intel and Qualcomm reportedly join Google in Huawei ban [theverge.com]
Won't somebody think of the Rural Wireless Association?
https://ruralwireless.org/huawei-usa-joins-rural-wireless-summit-as-a-sponsorspeaker/ [ruralwireless.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:48PM (3 children)
FTFY...
Huawei has also been preparing for this eventuality by stockpiling chips from US suppliers to last it at least three months, which should be enough time to steal/copy the technology and mass produce their own chips.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Runaway1956 on Monday May 20 2019, @06:07PM (1 child)
What about that plant in Chengdu? It's only an assembly and testing facility, not an actual fab. How will that play into this little drama?
How about the 3D NAND plant in Dalian? 3D NAND aren't CPU's, but China has leverage on Intel all the same, with that plant located in China.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Monday May 20 2019, @08:55PM
That is a good point. This trade war is going to get interesting.
I did hear that trade wars are good and easy to win though, so it should be fine.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @03:59PM
AMD deal with china may be the next source of CPU chips for Huawei.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Bot on Monday May 20 2019, @08:55PM (1 child)
Trump is either a genius or an accelerationist. What I don't compute is why the same elite first let everybody outsource to china then starts pissing them off. This is something bigger than Trump and his administration and his counselors.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @11:01PM
R.A.W. pointed this out in his classic Schroedinger's Cat trilogy. Middle paragraph is the one that explains it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:49PM (5 children)
Trump has apparently been selected as God's chosen gatekeeper. He will replace china with alien tech one drip at a time. It must be slow enough that the scared reactionary people don't panic.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @05:59PM
Huawei, if you're listening...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @06:19PM
That ain't MY red headed stepchild! Little bastard doesn't even look like me. Look again, he looks a lot more like Lucifer, doesn't he?
- God
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Monday May 20 2019, @07:28PM (2 children)
Alien mind control that only effects those with really low IQs or a limited ability to think logically.
That would actually explain so much.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @07:37PM
Everyone else will be feeding off what amounts to star trekian replicators while you continue to snuffle at the trough of ignorance.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @04:02PM
By limited ability to think logically you mean MBAs?
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @06:38PM (3 children)
...while other consumers have been looking furiously for ways to disinfect their phones from the virus that is Google. Perhaps my new phone will be built in China after all...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @07:32PM (1 child)
But educating regular consumers is hard. That's why marketing departments club humans over the head. But unless Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and the rest want to lose access to genuine Android devices they will avoid Android-like devices that cannot claim to be Android devices.
Huawei is in a bad position, and they can only blame their government connections, dependencies and funding. Most consumers who like Android will not jump ship to a like-Android device while the headlines drum "Huawei is listening, and sharing what it hears".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @08:13PM
You've got that right.
Do you know how many people I talk to, that think Snowden is a traitor? And not because of a difference of opinion, as in, they know what he did, why he did it, and disagree with his reasons.
I could live with informed disagreement more easily than complete ignorance and "Traitor!"
I'm not talking any political party/stance, or country either. I've heard it outside the US, inside, because many people are sped-fed truth, and just LOVE it!
So, what have you been hearing lately? If this keeps up, I'd be more and more surprised if anyone has one of their phones (new) in a year.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @08:23PM
It already is.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by pTamok on Monday May 20 2019, @07:14PM
The Register have their own article on this, and, as ever, some of the comments make for interesting reading.
The Register: Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy: Run Huawei, Google Play, turns away, from Huawei... turns away; Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face [theregister.co.uk].
The Register: Comments [theregister.co.uk].
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Farkus888 on Monday May 20 2019, @08:29PM (1 child)
So there are 2 points of attack in this trade war (that I know of). Tariffs and Huawei. If you assume that it is a good idea to harm China in a trade war, are they effective? Starting with Huawei, this appears to work. The import ban only takes away their US sales. This will likely harm their global sales. That will eventually hurt the Chinese people who work for them. Tariffs not so much. The Chinese companies charge the same price. The US stores won't let their profit margins slip so they raise their prices. So US citizens, primarily the poorer ones who can't afford better, actually pay. That makes US tariffs on China a regressive tax at home. If and only if the US poor are completely bled dry will sales and profits in China diminish.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @04:33AM
But, by removing a competitor that produced high quality (presumably - I don't own one) products at lower prices, it allows the remaining competitors (most of which are still sourcing parts and labour from Chinese and other foreign factories) to raise prices without fear of lower cost competition.
I'm not saying that isn't a good thing for local US manufacturing, but in the short term, it does that same thing that a tariff does: It causes prices to go up. So all those poor people who are getting raped by Huawei's cheap prices with profits going to China, will now be getting raped by other manufacturers like Samsung whose profits go to Korea.
Yay for the poor!
(Score: 2) by RamiK on Monday May 20 2019, @09:17PM
Start the countdown before the Chinese government retaliates with such vengeance against US tech that Trump reverses the decision.
compiling...
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 20 2019, @09:50PM
But do be a lapdog to the USG..
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Luke on Tuesday May 21 2019, @04:12AM
I've never understood this obsession or need for a 'store' such as Google, Apple or M$, er, offer.
Back in the day someone would develop a program (for some reason this is now called an 'app') and people could download that and install on their machine - often direct from the developer or from multiple sources. The machines were open to several OS's and there was no lock-in to a single software vendor. The user had a choice and in general their data, under the guise of 'statistics' was not for sale.
Importantly the world continued to operate reasonably well, no-one's 'store' was 'critical' enough for the sky to fall in.
At the moment I don't have _any_ that use Android, or Apple for that matter. I do have an elderly tablet that's a Android based but it's never been near any 'store' (I have directly loaded some .apk's to it) and my three mobile telephones are extremely simple (read they're not 'smart') and I manage my way through life without feeling deprived.
If Huawei were to sell a bare telephone at a reasonable cost upon which I could install my chosen OS I'd be happy to buy one, and I'd encourage others to do the same; good on them should they take the chance to do this - in adversity there is often opportunity.
Ultimately the thing that concerns me here is that this stoush is demonstrating the degree to which political will is able to affect individual's choices - especially in countries that don't have a dog in this fight. Were Android and its 'apps' truly free and open-source this wouldn't be a thing...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @07:11AM
Maybe Huawei can start talking about forming a consortium to officially make/use a more open alternative to Google's ecosystem... Who knows, maybe even Samsung might mention some interest in such a thing (after all Trump might target Korea too).
I'm sure some of us remember this:
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/235594-yes-google-play-is-tracking-you-and-thats-just-the-tip-of-a-very-large-iceberg [extremetech.com]
So I'd actually be enthusiastic if they produce something that spies a bit less, uses less battery and resources and sends the data to the Chinese government instead of the US government. If it's not crap from a technical and usability POV I might actually buy it.
After all I'm not a citizen of China and I don't plan to go to China any time soon. And if they spread nude photos/videos of me the responsibility for any damage or PTSD to others is on them not me.
If you live in the USA and don't pay enough of your taxes it's not the Chinese Gov that'll put you in prison.
If you're a noncitizen that _allegedly_ breaks laws outside of China it's not the Chinese Gov that'll get friendly governments to send helicopters after you or arrest you.
Compare:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/03/29/the-disappeared-china-renditions-kidnapping/ [foreignpolicy.com]
vs
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/20-extraordinary-facts-about-cia-extraordinary-rendition-and-secret-detention [opensocietyfoundations.org]
https://www.wired.com/2012/08/kim-dotcom-raid/ [wired.com]
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/world/julian-assange-wikileaks.html [nytimes.com]
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/08/russia-mps-son-seleznev-arrest-us-secret-service [theguardian.com]
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evo_Morales_grounding_incident [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 21 2019, @05:08PM
“We have prepared our own operating system. If it should be the case that we can no longer use these systems (like Android).. [nst.com.my]