This could be Huawei's replacement for Android OS
Ever since the US barred Huawei from trading with American companies, things have been falling apart for the Chinese giant. Leading tech giants, including Google and Microsoft, have severed ties with the company, shaking up the entire technology sphere. Google has even snatched Huawei's Android license, but reports indicate that the company may already have a backup in the works. Here's all about it.
What Google's Android license means for Huawei
Much like other tech giants, Huawei has been working with Google to offer its own custom skin, EMUI, on top of Android. But now, with the Android license being canceled, the Chinese giant won't be able to use the Android operating system on its devices in future. Not to mention, this also puts future Android updates for already-sold Huawei devices in jeopardy.
Ark OS could be Huawei's backup
Though the implications of this ban stretch far beyond Android, Huawei's CEO has already confirmed that they have a backup OS in the works and it could roll out in the coming months. There is no word on what this so-called Android alternative would look like, but thanks to the folks at Android Headlines, we think it might be something called Ark OS.
Multiple Ark monikers trademarked by Huawei
On May 24, just a few days after the trade ban, Huawei trademarked phrases like HUAWEI ARK OS, HUAWEI ARK, ARK, and ARK OS with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The filings don't divulge anything else about this 'Ark OS', but considering the situation at hand, we expect that this might be the company's replacement for Android.
Many questions still remain unanswered
Having said that, it's worth noting that nothing is confirmed as of now. Ark OS could be Huawei's Android alternative or something completely different, like an alternative for Windows. To note, it's also not clear if Huawei's Android replacement would be built from grounds up or it would be based on the Android Open Source Project, which the company is free to use.
Third party operating systems have hardly beaten Android
It will be interesting to see how Huawei's Android backup performs because, historically, hardly any operating system - be it Windows Phone, BlackBerry OS, Ubuntu, Sailfish, or Fire OS - has managed to cut Android's user-base.
