Google collides with Huawei, intentionally

[Gerald]

I have had Huawei before, but had problems with the software so I switched to Samsung...so far so good.

[Catfish]

Also have an older Huawei with an excellent Leica camera, better than the new iphone's I believe. It is also faster and more fuzz free than Samsung. Also the S8 had an always-on function, even if you switched it to 'off'.

From the article:
"The move comes after the Trump administration added Huawei to a list of companies that American firms cannot trade with unless they have a licence."

Ah Huawei is on the Trump 'blacklist'. Trump's decrete justified by "national emergency"?
Good old blackmailing and trying to keep up the hegemony, are you? As far as i read there is still no evidence of spying by Huawei, but there is a lot about spying by Google and US companies.

So the US government telling me what i may use or not?
From ad placements tailored to your habits and showing only what they want you to see, to closely follow everything you do, the wet dream for exploitation and surveillance. And now the US government interferes with free business, isn't that.. [gasp] socialism?

Having only one service worldwide for almost all smartphone apps (sans Apple) sucks already big time.
Well i guess we have to get rid of Google sooner or later anyway. They never were the good guys but their methods stink to high heavens.

[Skybird]

The G5 network equipment thing is about espionage options and scenarios to disrupt infrastructure in case of conflicts. The Android thing now is mostly "just" economic warfare. Huawei threatens to overtake not just Samsung, but Apple, an American comany, has all reason to be worried as well. The consumer products of Huawei simply are good - they were the subcontractor supplying other companies with components, so it is no wonder where their expertise is coming from.


And yes, the camera in the P9lite already is damn good, too. It was one of the reasons why I got this phone, beside battery time and display quality. Telephone and surfing are the last things I do with it.


My neighbour has some samsung phone. He is cursing all the time about "all the garbage getting in my way" and that "I cannot get rid of it, it keeps coming back". Rooting, yes, but that is not the way that should be necessary, and not everybody knows how to do it, or is interested to do it.


The prices of flagship models are just insane. I cannot beleive that there are people spending them. I would not , even if I were a multi millionaire. Its just not worth it for me. 200-250 Euros maximum, and not every two years, but I expect a lifetime of at least 5-8 years.


Have still two old cellphones by Samsung, old-fashion, no smartness in them. These were very fine and the batteries still hold marvellous capacity after ten years or so. Smasung can do very good stuff - if they want.

[ikalugin]

I think it is the other way round, because most apps and websites use end to end encryption.

This means that you need control over the devices (and services ie google) not the networks as even if you could do MITM attack via network you would be stuck with encryption.

[Jimbuna]

Google taking the side that suits it most.

[Catfish]

When the US have a problem with 5G why does Google stop letting certain android phones use their app store system by a national governmental decision. Something does not match here.
And people will think twice now before buying anything based on Google, that can be rendered inoperable or be stolen from you anytime.

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Google taking the side that suits it most.

All said.

Regarding Google onrunning on hardware:
"Companies have essentially been forced into this deal. The vast majority of Android apps are distributed through the Google Play Store — and many of those apps rely on Google Play services to function.

Abandoning Google would mean abandoning the Play Store, which can mean shipping a device without Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and so on. Device makers would have to rely on an alternative app store and convince developers to distribute their apps on it, and in many cases rework those apps to function without Google services, too.

This was something the European Commission saw as a big problem. And as part of its $5 billion ruling fining Google for “illegal practices” with Android, it required that Google stop placing this exclusivity arrangement on its partners. Google, the commission wrote, denied users “access to further innovation and smart mobile devices based on alternative versions of the Android operating system” and “closed off an important channel for competitors to introduce apps and services” in the process."

We’ve never seen what Samsung, Motorola, Sony, HTC, LG, Huawei and so on would do on an Android phone limited by Google services. Now, we might.

[Catfish]

Ok now the cut-off has been postponed for 90 days..
Because the whole US midwest works with Huawei devices, and sent a clear note to Mr. Trump

Apart from that it is not about 5G, it is all about 'America first'. And when Huawei pays its "licence" just to avoid all this fuzz the Potus can have a photograph of himself grinning and saying "See how great i am!" once more.

I seriously think it is not only Trump who completely underestimates China.
Huawei as Xiaomi could build any hardware themselves, and an own App store. Downside is that a lot of 'independent' Apps are interconneected and only work with Google apps like Youtube, GoogleDrive, G. Play Music, G.Play Films, Duo, Fotos, Google Plus, G. Play books, G. play games, Gboard and so on. But the latter is the real scary thing. There is only one Android 'App store' called Google Play, and no competition. Proprietary, exclusive, and completely hegemonial.
After this stunt some will probably search for an alternative.. and it will not be the iPhone or Apple's own AppStore.

[HunterICX]

After I'd think about 3 mid range samsungs I changed to my Huawei P8lite because of problems with the Samsungs (Battery failures and once the Display just died for no reason) My experience with the Huawei P8 lite which is now going for it's 4th year is with zero problems. Great phone, good camera and the battery is still going strong.

Also am a user that won't spend more then around 200€ on a phone, Samsung is done for me as their mid range stuff is not reliable in my experience with it and I'd never get an apple product ever.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

I think it is the other way round, because most apps and websites use end to end encryption.

This means that you need control over the devices (and services ie google) not the networks as even if you could do MITM attack via network you would be stuck with encryption.

Well, my technical understanding of it is limited and more or less equals only what is described in this piece abiout the technical background and implications. There seems to be a habit in Europe to base the assessment of the risk for 5G on outdated technical understanding.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48035802


I cautiously tend to agree with the American position here. They seek their economic advanatge by bullying Huawei, yes, but their technical concerns imo also sound valid.