Huawei pushes back release of Mate X to conduct extra tests

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Huawei’s take on the foldable phone was supposed to launch this month, but after Samsung experienced troubles with the review units it sent out, the Chinese company opted to delay the release of the Mate X. A spokesperson told CNBC that it’s conducting extra tests to make sure the device runs as it should. The foldable phone will be launched in September. Samsung hasn’t revealed yet when it’ll launch the Galaxy Fold.

Huawei has reportedly already shipped 1 million devices with its HongMeng OS

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As expected, Huawei isn’t waiting around for whether the US is going to lift its trade ban against the company. According to the firm Rosenblatt Securities, the Chinese company has shipped one million smartphones carrying its own operating system called HongMeng, which literally translates to Red Dream. It hasn’t been clarified if these phones are market-available products or development products. But the report claims Huawei’s in-house OS works with all Android apps and has “increased security functions to protect personal data.”

According to the China Daily website, Huawei CEO for its consumer business group Richard Yu said the OS “will be available as early as this fall or next spring at the latest.” And the company is preparing to install it on anything that needs an OS—whether that be a smartphone, PC, tablet, car, wearable device, TV, etc. The HongMeng OS has been in the pipeline for years, and it’s said the “HongMeng” trademark is already being acquired at multiple markets, including Canada, Mexico, Europe, and South Korea. As the trade ban reprieve is set to expire soon, we should expect to hear more about Huawei’s plans for its own OS in the coming weeks (or even days).

Source: GSMArena

Google reportedly argues against cutting Huawei off, cites security concerns

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If the reports are to be believed, Google is reportedly urging the Trump administration to lift its ban on doing business with Huawei. The company is citing security concerns as the reason for them to continue working with Huawei.

Last month, Huawei has been blacklisted by the US government and prevented them from conducting business with US companies without prior government approval. So, Google had to restrict Huawei’s access to the Android operating system. And while the US backtracked a bit and delayed that action by 90 days, that reprieve is set to expire on August 19^th.

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Facebook will no longer pre-install its apps on Huawei phones

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Facebook is the latest US company to comply with the country’s ban on doing business with the Chinese tech company. The social media company announced it would no longer  the pre-installation of its apps on Huawei phones. According to a source familiar with the matter, this affects phones that haven’t left Huawei’s factory yet. Current Huawei owners can still use the apps and receive app updates, but new units won’t have Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram pre-installed. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to install the apps yourself. As it stands, Huawei devices still have access to the Play Store, so you will be able to download the apps there. But if the ban continues, then Huawei will be losing access to some of the most popular apps out there.

Source: Reuters