Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Huawei phones and google.

27 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 20/05/2019 07:49

Google are no longer going to allow new Huawei phones access to their services and existing phones won't be able to access the android update later this year.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48330310

What does this actually mean for consumers with existing phones? Presumably we can carry on as normal until services fizzle out?

OP posts:

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 20/05/2019 08:02

FML. I only bought a new Huawei 3 months ago, and I want a few years of use out of it.

It's one thing restricting things on new phones, but not making the Android update available to existing owners is beyond scummy.

Reallybadidea · 20/05/2019 08:11

I don't see why you won't be able to get a few years out of your phone Avocados. Apparently "Existing Huawei smartphone users will be able to update apps and push through security fixes, as well as update Google Play services." You just won't get new versions of Android, but that shouldn't make that much difference to your phone. New versions of Android aren't automatically made available to all existing phones as it is.

SheeshKebab · 20/05/2019 08:17

Ugh how annoying. Just another reason why I regret this phone massively. I got a Huawei for the camera and I'm not even convinced it's that good really. I'll be surprised if I can give it away when it's time for my upgrade in 18 long months. Should've got a Pixel🤦

Original poster

OhYouBadBadKitten · 20/05/2019 08:59

I love my huawei, mostly for its battery life. That's why I chose it.
It's clearly not a reason to ditch it unless they start restricting access to things like google maps, but it's still annoying.

OP posts:

SquirrelShit · 20/05/2019 09:33

Was going to come on here to ask about this issue. I'm about to upgrade, and the only thing I'm bothered about is getting the best possible camera. (I sometimes use the camera for work-related stuff.) From all the reviews, the Huawei P30 Pro sounded amazing - and the optical zoom is way better than anything else out there.

Guess I shouldn't buy it now????

Back to the Pixel 3 XL, then. 🙁

qwertyskirty · 20/05/2019 09:49

FFS - what about existing users?! I bloody hate being held to ransom by these big firms.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 20/05/2019 09:55

I've got a new Huawei and I love it. The camera is indeed amazing and my reason for getting it. I will be mightily pissed off if I can't use it for Gmail and maps though.

EleanorReally · 20/05/2019 09:55

there are other search engines though?

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 20/05/2019 10:20

@EleanorReally it's not just the search engine that is an issue. Google makes and owns the Android operating system which Huawei phones rely on, as well as a whole host of apps (Gmail, maps, docs, sheets, home, Gpay, photos, assistant, calendar etc etc etc) that many of us use daily.

origamiunicorn · 20/05/2019 10:26

For Google to limit their consumer base like this, they must be worried about Huawei for some reason.

fairweathercyclist · 20/05/2019 10:28

Are they being told to do it by the US government?

StoorieHoose · 20/05/2019 10:29

I'm a cynical auld witch and I'm sure it has more to do with Huawei producing better phones than Apple and Google and their rising popularity than with the security threat from China. You can't convince me that the US government would never try and pressure google and apple to spy on their users

DGRossetti · 20/05/2019 10:43

It's one thing restricting things on new phones, but not making the Android update available to existing owners is beyond scummy.

The thing is a lot of updates never make it to the phones anyway, if you bought a network or operator branded phone. DW has had 3 Tesco phones in 6 years, and not a single one got an update after purchase.

Also, if the updates are as good as the last one which managed to break 3 paid-for apps I use (the only apps I've paid for) then Google can keep them as far as I'm concerned. No refund as it's down to Google.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 20/05/2019 11:17

I bought a SIM free phone outright for a number of reasons, so this wouldn't apply to mine.

DGRossetti · 20/05/2019 11:33

I bought a SIM free phone outright for a number of reasons, so this wouldn't apply to mine.

So did I (after a particularly interesting experience where I discovered we had 9 working phones in a drawer and not one could be used with any SIM. The worst being an Orange branded phone that barfed at an EE SIM).

Apparently existing phones and stock will be supported, but not new models.

www.theregister.co.uk/2019/05/20/google_pulls_play_and_other_services_from_huawei/

Personally, I can see this being a massive fail for Google and the Trumpster, as it will just push Huawei to develop their own version of AOSP - with no creepy-Google data hoovering ....

MenuPlant · 20/05/2019 11:37

This is USA trying to stuff them isn't it. Trump. China are a massive threat, v competitive and massive economy/producers.

Yes its because of an exec order DT made, not a decision google took.

Leveraging his power to interfere in other counties strong bunsineeses. What happened to free market Capitalism eh? Answer, only when it suits them.

DGRossetti · 20/05/2019 11:42

What happened to free market Capitalism eh?

What happened ? It never existed, that's what "happened".

MenuPlant · 20/05/2019 11:44

Yes as per my last comment...

GloriousGoosebumps · 20/05/2019 11:52

I'm rather fond of my Huawei. On the face of it, current owners are ok but it wouldn't surprise me if Google later withdraw their licence for current users as well at which point our mobiles are useless. I'll wager there were lots of crisis meetings taking place at Huawei.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 20/05/2019 11:57

I, too, wouldn't be surprised if Google was to withdraw their services from current users too. In which case they can jolly well replace my Huawei with the latest Pixel phone for free.

I don't get why the US order is being applied to non-US users either

Justanotherlurker · 20/05/2019 11:58

Personally, I can see this being a massive fail for Google and the Trumpster, as it will just push Huawei to develop their own version of AOSP - with no creepy-Google data hoovering ....

They already have an OS that is used on the chinese phones, the reason why they have limited access is because of the firmware already beeing creepy data hoovering and China not having a stella record with respeciting IP etc etc.

bizzey · 20/05/2019 12:14

Hi ..ok i am hyperventilating now !!
Got the H lite for ds as upgrade/new contract on friday.

Please could someone explain Very slowly
what it means .
I have shown him this thread (and he gave me a paper bag !)
He uses google and google maps.
Dors this mean they are /will be gone ?
Thank you

Original poster

OhYouBadBadKitten · 20/05/2019 12:51

For the moment we look like we will be ok as existing owners. It's what this means in terms of future updates and whether google are going to get even tougher than they say they are and in the future block access to apps. That's my concern. In terms of having an android system running on our phones - that should still be ok.

I'm not convinced it is due to security issues - it feels like part of a cold war developing between the US and China. However, I wouldn't necessarily want a new chinese operating system on my phone for security reasons and I don't think that would be rolled out outside of China and chinese controlled or sympathetic territories anyway.

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 20/05/2019 12:55

it will just push Huawei to develop their own version of AOSP - with no creepy-Google data hoovering ....

Yeah, because there won't be any creepy Huawei data hoovering, oh no no no. 😂

AbsoluteGonk · 22/05/2019 12:06

I was half listening to something about this on R4 the other day. Apparently Google are going to be losing a massive amount of money over this. I reckon they'll use their very powerful influence to get the ban overturned.

Flip

1 2