Huawei invites Dutch developers to replace Google apps for next smartphone

Back in 2019, Google banned Huawei from using Google Mobile services on Huawei phones citing national security risks. As a result, the company is committed to creating its app ecosystem. If the rumor circulating on the Internet turns out to be accurate, the Chinese handset maker is said to be working on Harmony OS, an operating system that’ll work across many devices. The company says it will invest $1.5 billion in app development.

In the recent development, Huawei has called Dutch developers for a special meeting during the Tweakers Developers Summit 2020 on February 13 in Utrecht. With Huawei Mate 30 Pro, the company is set to enter a new phase on February 21.

Due to the restriction, the Mate 30, therefore, runs on the Android version without Google, meaning the device will run on a self-developed EMUI 10. Huawei can keep using Android but is blocked from buying those “core apps” for pre-installation.

According to the company claims, Huawei comes up with its alternative app store, where it has 45000 apps, which is 1.5% of the 3 million titles on Google Play Store. It’s worth mentioning that existing Android apps will be available for download, but they cannot use Google Mobile Services.

Since Huawei’s app doesn’t fall under the Google advertising platform, the company is planning to get developers to adjust their apps for the new system software. Since there is no dedicated advertising platform for Huawei as such, there is no possibility of earning money through the app store for developers.

In an interview with Emerce, Arne Herkelmann, head of Smartphone Portfolio & Planning Europe, said, “One of the advantages of Huawei Mobile Services is that at the same time services can be developed for other Huawei products, such as wearables and the Matebook D 14 and Matebook D 15 laptops that will also be released in the Netherlands.”

For the P40, Huawei has signed an agreement for developers to use maps from a Dutch provider, TomTom. More details are yet to be announced.

Main image credits: Fabian Strauch/Shutterstock

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