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The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

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Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#231

Post by pm90 »

reacweb wrote: post #125
TsomArp wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is not like they had an option. They are a US based company. They must do it.

I fully agree. Google had to comply, but it is not in its advantage because it shows that Google is too much powerful and that is problematic.

No, it shows that the US is too powerful.

All the craziness about preventing American internet companies from dominating the Domestic Chinese market makes total sense now, doesn't it? If the Chinese economy had been built around Facebook, Google etc. the US would have a lot of leverage, since they're all US-based companies and _must_ comply with whatever US Government asks them to do.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#232

Post by Phlarp »

squarefoot wrote: post #127
jmkni wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OS is open source, Google Play Services isn't. When you are developing Android apps, you can leverage Google Play Services for all sorts of functionality, such as push notifications and maps, and I would say more apps do use these than don't. Huawei can still put Android on their phones, but not with Google Play Services. This means that many Android apps just won't work. They also can't supply the Google Play St…

Google Play can be rewritten from scratch to look like the real one and point to open source repositories, but the real hassle are device drivers: they're tight closed to the point there's not a single person in the world who managed to install a 100% open OS on a phone or tablet; even Purism themselves had to use some closed blobs here and there. Closed firmware/blobs/drivers are the #1 problem; that's the battle to…

What about the baseband?

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#233

Post by jeremyjh »

tantalor wrote: post #126
jeremyjh wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe that if Google doesn't license AOSP to Huawei (whether by their own free choice or not), it might be that they are in violation of the Linux kernel GPL2 agreement that they have made with Linus / Linux Foundation.

Elaborate?

Users of GPL licensed software such as the Linux kernel, are bound by the terms of that license to release modifications under the same license. Android and AOSP incorporates and uses the Linux kernel; this is the entire reason AOSP exists. You cannot pick and choose which users you distribute sources to under the GPL.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#234

Post by wpdev_63 »

Tsubasachan wrote: post #98

In defense of Google none of the smartphone makers have tried to make their own mobile OS based on Android. Besides I think it more reveals how Google is in the grip of US politics- it might be time for Google to draw up some contingency plans for when America goes completely nuts.

You mean like FireOS and lineageOS? They are forks of Android.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#235

Post by gruez »

15155 wrote: post #200
enitihas wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So basically making the mobile OSes more windows like in easily allowing people to install malware?

This is an intellectually dishonest argument as it conflates the definition of "malware" between platforms. Mobile application permission systems don't cease to exist in the absence of a sanctioned app store. The only thing that disappears is the ability for Google or others to completely remove an application that is abusing the permissions a user granted: but the permissions are still there. Even in the worst-case…

>Mobile application permission systems don't cease to exist in the absence of a sanctioned app store.

Permissions systems definitely do not anything against malware. See: all the flashlight apps with every permission under the sun.

>Even in the worst-case scenario, malware on modern phone operating systems is substantially more limited in disruptive and destructive power than what one can achieve on Windows without a UAC grant.

Sure, but it can still collect all your pictures, have access to your microphone/cameras, and tarck your location. It's better than full control of your device, but it's not that much better.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#236

Post by charlesdaniels »

ehonda wrote: post #159
harryf wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s possible that Google cutting off Huawei will actually backfire, because it makes having a viable alternative to Android a MUST HAVE instead of just NICE TO HAVE. Perhaps it’s possible to resurrect Blackberry 10 ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry_10 ) for example, which seemed to be an impressive piece of engineering that got trampled by Blackberrys failing business. I played with a demo once that could…

I have both an S9 and a BlackBerry Q10 on me every day. The BB10 OS, even though its now defunct, was designed in a way that it is FAR easier and more practical to use. I really, really hate the Android interface as a result. 1: BlackBerry hub is a lot nicer to view messages 2: Smart use of Bezel gestures makes it much easier to actually interact with the phone: -If you want to access the hub while using an app, you…

Agreed!

I was a BB Classic user for about 2 years before jumping ship to iOS for practical reasons.

Aside from what you mentioned, I would also bring up that, at least on the Classic, the little touch nub/joystick/trackpad thing was actually incredibly handy. It could act as a mouse, which meant that you could use "Desktop" websites very easily, since you didn't have to try to fat finger tiny little buttons. And since it was essentially a real mouse, hovering worked to, which is nice for sites that required that.

For those that have never seen one, it was a small button, about the size of an iPhone home button, but the surface doubled as a capactive trackpad, I assume with similar tech to those used in laptops, but far more sensitive. I still used the touch-screen a fair amount, but having a mouse was wonderful when you needed it.

The hardware on the Classic was just fantastic... long battery life, good build quality, and a SIM+microSD slot.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#237

Post by gruez »

luckylion wrote: post #164
Tsubasachan wrote: post #98

In defense of Google none of the smartphone makers have tried to make their own mobile OS based on Android. Besides I think it more reveals how Google is in the grip of US politics- it might be time for Google to draw up some contingency plans for when America goes completely nuts.

They've moved a lot of their profits out of US tax jurisdiction, is that possible with patents and technology as well so they wouldn't be affected by US export/business restrictions?

I'm pretty sure that if you operate in the US, you can't bypass sanctions by having your corporations registered somewhere else. At the very least you have to ensure none of your US division isn't violating the sanctions.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#238

Post by gruez »

hutzlibu wrote: post #114
joatmon-snoo wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The judicial system is for challenging the interpretation of the law. Changing the law is a different process.

Yes. But banning Huawei is a interpretation, right?

No, it's an executive order.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#239

Post by wpdev_63 »

Huawei is a massive company with a large lineup of affordable Android phones. Why can't they just fork Android just like Amazon and Microsoft?

I guess they would have to come up with alternative to google play marketplace, gmaps, gmail, etc. but it's not really a big deal with the resources they have. Not to mention that the open source equivalent of these apps are serviceable.

Re: The Huawei Disaster Reveals Google’s Iron Grip on Android

#240

Post by jimclegg »

harryf wrote: post #204
dogma1138 wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? Do you think Samsung and LG would be more likely to develop not to mention support an Android competitor? This ban is the best thing that happened to Korean mobile phone manufacturers for years. Huawei was breathing down Sammy’s neck things are looking much bright for them now.

Oh sure - short term yes this is a win for Samsung over Huawei but long term it sends a very clear message that the future of their business depends highly on Google and the winds of US foreign policy. You don't want to be the person presenting to the Samsung board "Future Risks: Donald Trump"

Right but when US technology cannot be depended on long term, the default foreign position many will take is to avoid or route around it.
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