More concerning news coming Huawei’s way on Friday this week, as Facebook, another US-based technology giant suspends installing of its range of apps on Huawei phones.
This, according to the Reuters report means, none of the Facebook-owned apps, ie WhatsApp and Instagram can be pre-installed on upcoming Huawei phones, until the trade war between the US and the Chinese brand comes to an end.
The report, quoting sources, clearly mentions that the suspension is applicable on phones which haven’t left Huawei’s factory and made its way to the shelves. Facebook is likely to have signed a deal with Huawei to pre-install its apps on the phones, in return for a particular fee, per device.
However, Facebook will continue to support existing users of Huawei phones, and offer them software updates for the version running on them as well. It’s just that Huawei will find it even harder to convince people to buy its devices now, with popular apps like WhatsApp and Instagram not supported on Huawei phones.
This is probably the second biggest jolt for Huawei, after Google decided to cut support for Android to its upcoming devices, which also includes the futuristic Mate X phone with a foldable screen, showcased first at the Mobile World Congress 2019 earlier in February this year.
This has forced Huawei to start rigorously on its own mobile operating platform code named Hongmeng, which is likely to hit consumers in China by end of 2019. However, recently we spotted Android Q Beta list including phones from the Chinese company.
Interestingly, the source quoted in the report also mentioned that other than Facebook, platforms like Twitter and Booking.com also come pre-installed on Huawei phones, and the former might be the next in line to cut ties with Huawei.
While losing out Android (with Google Play services) and Facebook might not hit Huawei’s business in China, its fortunes in other markets, including India, could suffer, especially at a time when they have just started laying the groundwork to grow in the country.
Unlike Google, which announced a 90-day leeway to work with Huawei, Facebook is yet to confirm the suspension, which will invariably have negative effect on its own business as well.
Either ways, it’s clear that the executive order put in place by the US President on Huawei (targeting China of sorts), it having serious ramifications for companies across the globe and something’s got to give sooner than later in this saga.
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