Is Huawei working on its own smartphone operating system?

Huawei appears to be speeding up the development of its own operating system to replace Android after Google revoking its license last month.

Leaked pictures from the Intellectual Property Office of the European Union allegedly show the first screenshots of the OS, named Ark.

They show some of the settings of the menu, the information of the apps and how to install them.

The company is thought to have filed a patent under the name ‘ARK OS,’ which is now believed to be the Android alternative beg developed by Huawei.

The leaked images come after claims the company’s self-developed system is ‘far from ready’. 

 

Huawei is speeding up the development of its operating system to replace Android following Google’s pulling support for Play Store on Huawei devices. Leaked pictures show the first screenshots of Ark OS, which intends to replace Android

However, the company claims that it could have the Ark running as early as Autumn.

Yu Chengdong, the CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, said the new system would not only work with all Android apps, but also boost their efficiency by 60 per cent, according to Chinese media.

An order from President Trump earlier this month effectively banned technology firms from ‘foreign adversaries’ trading with US companies without approval.

Google then confirmed it would stop supporting Android on Huawei devices, the software which powers the firms’ phones.

This means that new and yet-to-be-released Huawei models would not be able to access Google apps as part of Android, like Google Maps or Youtube. 

Android operating system is a central part of Huawei phones.     

A source told technology news site The Information however that Huawei’s own system is ‘far from ready’.

The leaked images come after claims that the company's self-developed system is 'far from ready'

However, the company claims that it could have the Ark running as early as Autumn

Leaked pictures, left, from the Intellectual Property Office of the European Union show the first screenshots of Ark OS. They show some of the settings of the menu, the information of the apps and how to install them. Pictured right, Android’s operating system

They show some of the settings of the menu, the information of the apps and how to install them or even the management of permissions. The company filed a patent under the name 'ARK OS'

 They show some of the settings of the menu, the information of the apps and how to install them or even the management of permissions. The company filed a patent under the name ‘ARK OS’

And even if Huawei finalises the system, it would face ‘a much bigger challenge’ to build an entire ecosystem of apps on top of it, according to the source who claimed to be familiar with Huawei’s backup effort called ‘Project Z’. 

According to one expert, Huawei would face huge challenges to develop its own system.

Speaking to MailOnline last week, Ben Wood, from the CCS Insight consultancy, said that it was ‘extremely unfortunate timing for such an exciting product’.

The uncertainty of the current situation is damaging for Huawei’s business and the fact that they don’t have clarity further muddies the water for customers.

‘People rely on core Google services like Google maps and not being able to have these applications on devices would present a huge challenge,’ he said. 

The US commerce department gave a three-month reprieve, which means Android still provide service and support, including software updates, to existing Huawei handsets.

It is not clear when Ark will be launched but it is unlikely that we will see a new smartphone with ARK OS before the deadline. 

A Huawei executive announced the company will roll out its own operating system as early as this autumn, according to reports. The news came after Google revoked its Android license

A Huawei executive announced the company will roll out its own operating system as early as this autumn, according to reports. The news came after Google revoked its Android license

Last month, telecom firms EE and Vodafone left Huawei out of their line-up of 5G smartphones.

EE said it had chosen to ‘pause’ the sale of Huawei 5G phones amid ongoing tensions between the US and the company.

They also confirmed the Huawei equipment it currently uses in its network infrastructure is in the process of being phased out.

Vodafone also said it would suspend Huawei’s Mate X phone from its 5G line-up because ‘Huawei’s 5G handset is yet to receive the necessary certifications’. 

EE chief executive Mark Allera said it will not restart Huawei sales until they are satisfied that the security of its customers is being protected. 

The BT-owned telecoms giant said it will be the first operator in the UK to launch the high-speed mobile network, which is expected to offer internet speeds several times that of current generation 4G. 

MailOnline has contacted Huawei for comment. 

HOW CHINA COULD TARGET APPLE AND OTHER US COMPANIES IN RETALIATION FOR HUAWEI BAN

China could retaliate against America for its treatment of Huawei in a number of devastating ways – the most likely would be to targeting US companies that do business in the region, such as Apple. Greater China ranks third among the regions that generate the most revenue for the company, behind the US and Europe. 

Additionally, the majority of Apple’s supply chain consists of Chinese companies that manufacture key components like sensors, OLED displays and other parts used in the iPhone. 

If Apple can’t rely on Chinese manufacturers, it may be forced to move to suppliers in the US or elsewhere, which could result in an increase in iPhone prices. 

Additionally, some Chinese consumers have already latched onto a growing ‘Boycott Apple’ movement in retaliation, which means Apple may suffer lasting damage to its brand in the region as a result of the Huawei ban. 

Apple isn’t the only US firm that’s likely to feel an impact. Tech companies that rely on Huawei as a major will also be hurt. 

‘The announced tariffs, if implemented, will be the gut punch for tech companies and its suppliers,’ said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.  

Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm Broadcom and Micron provide components or services that are used in Huawei products, while Corning glass and Dolby speakers are used in Huawei phones.  

What devices could be impacted by the decision? 

Existing and new Huawei phones will be hurt the most when it comes to security updates. 

These devices will no longer be able to access over-the-air security updates supplied by Android, as well as new software versions, like Google’s upcoming Android Q. 

Google ships Android security updates to device owners automatically. 

But Huawei devices will be forced to use the open source version of Android, which means the firm will learn of security updates the day they’re issued and, as a result, will have to ship them out to users manually. 

This could leave Huawei devices vulnerable to attacks or other security flaws in the time that it takes to download new security updates. 

Huawei would also be left out of future Android software updates. Since it’s using an open source version, it can’t legally market its phones as being Android devices.  

The ban will most likely affect Huawei’s line of Mate laptops as well. 

Huawei’s computer business relies heavily on chips made by Intel, Qualcomm and others, as well as Microsoft’s Windows operating system. 

Since these companies aren’t doing business with Huawei, it’s not yet clear what this means for future laptops made by the firm. 

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk