Huawei plans to launch its next phone without popular Google applications, including Maps and YouTube, The smartphone will not have access Google Play

Despite the US ban that has deprived Huawei of important licenses, the Chinese telecommunications glove wants to progress in these activities smartphone. Huawei is planning to launch new high-end smartphones in Europe, even though they will not be able to get food from Google's official Android operating system and popular apps such as Google Maps and YouTube due to the US ban, according to Reuters. A Google spokesman confirmed Reuters that the Mate 30 can not be sold with licensed Google applications and services due to the US Huawei sales ban. A temporary suspension announced by the US government last week does not apply to new products such as Mate 30, according to the spokesman.

In fact, the first period of reprieve that expired on August 19 was renewed for another 90 days. During this period, the US Department of Commerce allows Huawei to continue buying American-made products. The purpose of this decision is to enable the telecommunications equipment manufacturer to support existing customers in the area of ​​smart phones and cellular infrastructure to minimize disruption related to the ban. But this exemption does not apply to the new Huawei Mate 30.

The Mate 30, designed to work on the new 5G mobile networks, is Huawei's first flagship smartphone since the administration of US President Donald Trump effectively blacklisted it in mid-May, claiming it is implied in activities that undermine US national security, an accusation that the company denies. According to a source familiar with the subject, the Chinese glove will present its new range of Mate 30 phones on September 18 in Munich.Google could ask permission to offer its Huawei apps, but Reuters does not say if it does. However, none of the more than 130 license applications received by the US Department of Commerce from companies to sell Huawei's US goods was granted, according to Reuters. It also means that the next Huawei phone will not have access to the Google Play app store, which could leave customers without access to other popular apps.

Although Huawei was added to the black list in response to security concerns, the uncertainty surrounding Mate 30 could only be lifted if an agreement is found in the context of the trade war raging between Beijing and Washington for several months President Trump had indicated this in the past.
According to Reuters, Huawei said in a statement: Huawei will continue to use the Android OS and ecosystem if the US government allows us to do so. Otherwise, we will continue to develop our own operating system and ecosystem.

The company has launched a website called Huawei Answers to address consumer concerns about the company's relationship with Android. The following can be read on this site:

All Huawei smartphones, tablets and computers will continue to receive security patches, Android updates and Microsoft technical support.

Anyone who has already bought or is about to buy a Huawei smartphone can continue to access the world of applications as they have always done. All devices continue to be covered by our manufacturer's warranty and will receive full technical support as a result.

Huawei, which is only a few weeks away from the first major smartphone launch since the application of the US restrictions last May, also counts on the other equipment of the new phone. According to Reuters, the brain of the Mate 30 line, the Kirin 990 chipset, will be officially unveiled on 6 September by Huawei's most senior consumer manager, Richard Yu, when he delivers the opening speech at IFA Berlin. The Kirin 990 was developed by HiSilicon, the Huawei chips unit, from the plans of British designer ARM Holdings.

ARM is one of the companies that suspended their activities with Huawei after the US ban because its designs contain technologies of US origin. But according to Reuters, Huawei said last week that it is the perpetual owner of the ARMv8 license and that chips based on this license, including the Kirin 990, would not be affected by this ban.

ARM did not respond to Reuters' request for comment regarding its relationship with Huawei. The company has simply stated that ARM continues to comply with the latest restrictions of the US Department of Commerce and we adhere to guidelines for specific types of authorized, technical or other types of conversations.

Will Huawei be able to sell its Mate 30 line without Google Services?

Huawei can, however, use an open source version of Android without violating the US ban on sales. But Google's applications can only be used in Europe under a paid license from the research glove.

Analysts say the launch without Google's applications in Europe will be a blow. Without Google Services, no one will buy the device, said independent analyst Richard Windsor.

Consumers expect to have access to all the major applications they are used to, including Maps and YouTube. Without them, Huawei's phones will look a lot less appealing. And not accessing the Play Store means that Huawei will have to provide customers with another way to access other popular apps such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

In recent years, Huawei has rapidly risen to the top of the global smartphone industry with its high-quality hardware, and Europe has been a key market. But the US ban had a negative impact on Huawei's market share in Europe, which rose from 24.9% in the first quarter of 2019 to 19.3% in the second quarter, according to Counterpoint Research figures.

Huawei also announced earlier this month its own mobile operating system, called Harmony OS. But analysts and Huawei executives are skeptical that it is a viable alternative for Android.

Launching a major product in Europe without Google applications will be a real challenge for Huawei. What future is the Huawei Mate 30 line without the online gaming store?

Sources: Reuters, Huawei Answers

And you ?

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All Huawei smartphones, tablets and computers will continue to receive security patches, Android updates. What do you think ?
What future do you foresee for Huawei's smartphone business with Harmony OS?

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