It was only a matter of time before it happened. As a matter of fact, when the US effected the ban against Huawei that saw the company get yanked off Google Mobile Services, I did say that there was a possibility of this happening. The big 4 Chinese smartphone brands, Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi, have joined together to form the Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA), and their goal is to pull resources to provide alternative access to apps. In other words, a way to depend less on Google Play Store.
The alliance wants to create “a platform for developers outside China to upload apps onto all of their app stores simultaneously”. This means any apps that are uploaded to the proposed platform will automatically be available in Huawei App Store, Mi Store, OPPO App Market, as well as Vivo App Store.
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Like I said in 2019, other smartphone brands would eventually begin to play a scenario asking, What if what happened to Huawei were to happen to us? The result would be moves to create alternatives to Google’s dominance of the app space. However, even though this collaboration is happening, it is a devication from what I nitially expected. Instead of working to develop an alternative ecosystem, members of the alliance will stay with Android but cut off their dependence on Google Mobile Services.
It makes sense too. It is a much easier path than having to develop an alternative to Android and also get developers to build apps for that platform.
How Big Is Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA)?
Just to give you a picture of how big this is, IDC statistics say that Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi together control 40% of global handset shipments in the fourth quarter of 2019. So we are looking at almost half of the world’s smartphone muscle power involved in this move.
The big problem is that alliances and consortiums have not worked well in the smartphone industry in the past. The Symbian Foundation didn’t work out. The MeeGo collaboration didn’t work out. Tizen didn’t either. So, what is the guarantee that this will work? There is none.
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However, it is important to note that the Global Developer Service Alliance is not about a software platform to power smartphones. It is about improving access to apps for all of the four mobile brands. Perhaps that may count this time. Perhaps not. We will have to wait and see.
In the meantime, Huawei is already developing an alternative to Google Mobile Services, as well as a Google Maps alternatives based on TomTom Maps.
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Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.
Mr.Mo,Off topic, my note 7 is not snapping with the flash…Wht do I do about it?..I tried snapping this night with it for the first time Bt it ain’t snapping with its flash.
Did you check to make sure the flash was turned on? If it was and it didn’t engage, then there is an issue with the camera and you may need to have anauthorised Samsung technician have a look at it.
How can I turn it on & where can I check if it’s turned?.pls, help a fan.
Mr.Mo,pls,talk to me.
Launch your camera app. There is a row of icons at the top, and that for the flash will be there with three options:
– off
– on
– auto
Select ON to make the flash activate in all conditions.
Thank you very much!!!.. You’ve been saving ur fans since late 2000.
You are welcome. Happy to be of help.