Huawei Says It Has a Backup OS In Case It's Cut Off From Android (engadget.com)

Huawei has built its own operating system for phones, tablets and computers in case tensions between Huawei and the U.S. escalate even further than they already are. "The OS has been rumored for years, but Huawei confirmed its viability with the South China Morning Post, saying it could be used if the company were cut off from Android or Windows," reports Engadget. "It's seen as a last resort, but given the current discord between the U.S. and Huawei, it's not entirely surprising that the company has a plan B." From the report: Huawei began building the OS in 2012, after the U.S. banned Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE from using American products and services. This was reportedly seen as a way to prepare for "worst-case scenarios." Now, with Huawei suing the U.S. government and the U.S. saying it might punish Germany if the country works with Huawei on its 5G networks, those worst-case scenarios might not be too far-fetched. At the moment, this doesn't change much. Android and Windows are still the company's first-choice. "We fully support our partners' operating systems -- we love them and our customers love them," a company spokesperson told South China Morning Post. Still, given the state of the U.S.-Huawei relationship, this contingency plan could be significant.

Comments

Re:Copyright? What Copyright?

[AmiMoJo]

Since Google is blocked in China all Chinese Android users already have their own alternative versions, e.g. their own app stores and search services to replace the missing ones. Huawei is no exception so all they need to do is have a plan to continue core OS development on their own, rather than starting from scratch.

That would make sense, given that Android is open source and there are lots of apps for it.

A few western companies have already done the same thing, e.g. with compatibility layers for running Android apps on other operating systems.

Permissive License

[DrYak]

The base OS itself, i.e. AOSP, is licensed under a permissive license (Apache 2.0)

Huawei (just like anybody else - e.g. Amazon's Fire and free/libre projects like LineageOS, also compatibility layers like Andbox) can freely copy Android all they like and nobody is every going to tell them anything.

The problem isn't the base OS. It's the giant blob for service that Google only provides to licensed partner: the Google Play Services.
That one might be required by some apps: that includes some mapping apps relying on the Google Maps Service (e.g.: some car sharing applications) and that include Google Play Store it-self.

A chinese manufacturer can slap android on their phone, but the users won't have access to the usual Play Store and won't be able to install some application. That's why they usually provide teir own eco-system of apps. (Just like Amazon had their own application store).
Even more so because Google is banned in China anyway.

If you WANT to install those apps, you'd need to:
- Pirate the google service (lots of cheap chinese phone manufacturer to that).
- Install google services legally (as an end user, you can ask for a free license under some circumstance)
( ^- You know, Google would be happy at the opportunity to siphon your data anyway, so they are not against the idea of end-users installing it after-market. They are only against manufacturer not providing the exact "Google Experience" that they want - i.e.: try to get users hooked on Google Apps).
- Install an open-source re-implementation of these services such as MicroG
( ^- And these one are much more configurable and can leak a lot less personnal data than the real google deal. Your smartphone's battery will appreciate not needing to ping back the mother ship every 30 seconds).