The VP of Huawei Technology’s public affairs says that the company is in the process of potentially launching HongMeng OS.
He says that in case trade tensions escalate, HongMeng would be ready to launch “in months”.
Huawei Technologies has applied to trademark the ‘HongMeng’ name.
Looks like Huawei is well and truly ready to launch its own OS in case it’s battles with Android and the US Government fall flat. Andrew Williamson, Vice President, Huawei Technologies Public Affairs, said in an interview that the company is in the process of potentially launching a replacement for Android. In the process, he also more-or-less confirmed that the new OS will end up being called HongMeng if it is ever launched.
“Huawei is in the process of potentially launching a replacement,” a Reuter’s report quotes Williamson as saying. “It’s not something Huawei wants. We’re very happy of being part of the Android family, but HongMeng is being tested, mostly in China.”
He also adds that the company will “presumably” apply for trademarks for the name. According to a listing in the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) website, Huawei Technologies has applied to trademark the ‘HongMeng’ name.
Williamson adds that in case trade tensions escalate into a full-blown trade war with the United States, HongMeng would be ready to launch “in months”. He also adds that even chipmakers know that cutting off Huawei could have “catastrophic” consequences for their business. “We’re not specifically asking anyone to lobby for us. They’re doing it by their own desire because, for many of them, Huawei is one of their major customers,” he said.
To recall, Google blocked Huawei’s access to its Android ecosystem of the Trump Administration blacklisted the Chinese-based company from doing any business with US companies. The new OS was developed in response to this step and may even be faster than Android. The company is said to be in talks with Aptiode to use it as an alternative to the Google Play Store. Recent reports suggest that the OS may even be faster than Android. However, it should be noted that the company is currently on a 90 day grace period where it can roll out updates to its smartphones that are running on Android.
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