Huawei has confirmed that it is working on its own Android-based Operating system that will be its fail-safe against a complete ban from Google’s licensed version of Android OS. Over the past couple of weeks, many potential names have popped up like ‘Ark OS’ and ‘HongMeng OS’. However, it looks like the company’s new operating system could be called ‘Oak OS’, as revealed by Globaltimes today.

Huawei’s OS is said to be called as ‘HongMeng’ OS in China and ‘Oak OS’ internationally. The rumors about the name Ark OS emerged from a few European trademarks from the company. Plus, Huawei’s compiler is called as the Ark compiler which further led people to speculate that the new OS will end up being called as the Ark OS.

If Globaltimes’ source is accurate, then the so-called ‘Oak OS’ from Huawei is currently being tested intensively. The launch is expected sometime around August or September, which is about the same time when Huawei’s 90-day temporary respite from the US trade ban ends.

The US is increasingly blacklisting Chinese companies over the past few months. While it will adversely affect these companies in the short run, many believe that this trade ban could be worse for everyone in the long run. In fact, according to a report from the Financial Times, Google has warned the U.S. government of the potential security challenges arising from this ban on Huawei.

Google reportedly said that if Huawei was to roll out its own Android system based on AOSP, it would be less secure than Google’s version. There could be bugs and issues which could put Huawei phones at risk of being hacked. In fact, FT quotes Google saying, “Our focus is protecting the security of Google users on the millions of existing Huawei handsets in the US and around the world.”

While Google’s points are valid, Huawei Oak OS has the potential to replace Google’s licensed Android on non-Huawei phones as well. With the increasing threat to non-US companies from the Trump government, many are looking for alternatives to US technology. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if other Chinese companies joined Huawei to work on Oak OS to ensure they aren’t overly dependent on US companies.

However, before we speculate too much, it’s worth noting that it remains to be seen if the Huawei ban will stand after the 90-day respite. But from how things are developing, it looks like Huawei’s Oak OS would be rolled out, even if the trade ban was lifted.

Clearly, the next few months will be an interesting period for all of the smartphone industry.

What are your thoughts?

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With the news that Huawei may lose access to Google’s Android platform, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is in need of a new operating system for its future handsets. On top of that, we might finally have a final name. While we’ve all heard the HongMeng OS name, Huawei’s new trademark sounds much better. Say hello to the new, ARK OS.

Per a report by Android Headline, It appears Huawei has trademarked a few names in Europe. In terms of the names that was filed, the listings cover ‘Huawei Ark OS,’ ‘Huawei Ark,’ ‘Ark,’ and ‘Ark OS,’ thus suggesting that Huawei’s Android and Windows alternative will be marketed as such. As usual, there’s no guarantee Huawei will ever use this name, but it’s certainly more appealing to global audiences than the ‘HongMeng OS’.

Now, to be fair, we’re not entirely sure whether this and HongMeng OS are the same thing. It’s fully possible Huawei’s come up with two different operating systems for different markets. Chinese markets could absolutely use HongMeng OS perfectly fine. Meanwhile, ARK OS would suit other markets like Europe infinitely better than that.

At the same time, what are the chances that it’s not the same OS? Huawei isn’t exactly in the right situation to be spending time making more operating systems. They should be rushing the OS as quickly as possible, while optimizing it as much as well. It seems like ARK / HongMeng OS will be coming very soon, so it won’t be long before everything’s revealed.

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