Can an Alliance Challenge Google?

It’s widely known by now that Huawei’s Mate 30 and subsequent releases probably won’t be seeing access to Google Play anytime soon. I waited for a while to see if a deal would come around, sadly this wasn’t the case and there is a new wave of handsets coming to market. Ultimately, I need Google Apps for the foreseeable future and value the trust net that is upheld, though to some questionable standard at times. I did a post about the coming and going of various mobile OS. Android and IOS are the sole survivors of the current market and Google are the sole gatekeepers for quality assurance. Google pay also makes life that much easier. Huawei have been talking about their ambitious attempt to disrupt the android economy with their own OS and it seems they wish to bolster this effort through a development consortium - Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA).

As a consumer, I am genuinely interested in market competition but I am not quite certain if this movement can flourish outside of Mainland China. As of August 2019, 79.32% of users in China use android with the rest belonging to IOS and a negligible amount on other platforms. Google services are blocked in China and this move seeks to further remove reliance on US services. Building a trusted network of applications is certainly viable and in my opinion, costs can be offset from mainland sales to provide better value to developers and end-users. They will stand to gain much from the alliance if they are able on-board users in an international market through challenging pricing and benefits.

Under the alliance, companies such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo are reportedly involved. These manufacturers will no doubt try to target regions where they have a strong user base but whether this is enough to take business away from Google remains to be seen. If anything, it seems like an extension of US vs. China trade negotiations with companies seeking stronger leverage through collaboration. I love being able to instantly buy subscriptions and apps using Google Pay, it’s seamless and easy. Refunds work easily enough and the market is very mature, proving itself to customers.

A simple alternative to Google Play sounds very limited to a general consumer and I hope that people are given a choice of what system and platform they want to use when such a platform is launched. I also understand in some places of the world, Google doesn’t do a great job and perhaps it is in those areas where the alliance will be able to build some momentum. I am certain however, even with Huawei’s new operating system coming this year, it will take a considerable amount of time for such a market to mature and establish trust. Something all users value very much.

Lockhart Tech Blogs

https://www.statista.com/statistics/262176/market-share-held-by-mobile-operating-systems-in-china/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-mobile-exclusive-idUSKBN20018H