Huawei Mate 20 Pro Is Back On The Android Q Beta Program
Things may be starting to look up for Huawei, at least for its mobile division and for a very small aspect of it. The company has just recently been reinstated as a member of the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD Card alliances after being silently removed from the roster. Now it has returned in another form, its Mate 20 Pro once again part of the exclusive Android Q Beta club. The bigger question now is until when will remain in the company of its former partners.
On the one hand, the Mate 20 Pro probably shouldn't have been removed from the beta program in the first place. The program started 8th of May, weeks before the US banhammer fell. It also lasts until June 30 only, more than a month before the 90-day reprieve ends. On the other hand, many US-based companies were quick to sever ties once the order was given.
The Mate 20 Pro is, for now, back on that list and those who enrolled in the beta program will continue to enjoy a preview of Android Q until next month. That doesn't, however, answer the question of whether they will be able to get that version of Android later this year. Google has promised to continue supporting existing Huawei phones but makes no mention about major Android updates. Huawei promised to do likewise but it could end up doing things on its own if things don't improve.
The big question is why these organizations have suddenly let Huawei back in just as they have silently kicked it out. It's also interesting to note that only standards organizations have welcomed Huawei back. Hardware manufacturers like Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Intel continue to snub it.
The answer might be simple but may also have political undertones. These alliances develop and promote international and industry standards and have members all over the world. While their main offices may reside in the US, it isn't equivalent to saying that their specifications and technologies are US products. Capitulating to the demands of one country, be it the US or anybody else, could weaken the organization's image as an unbiased caretaker of international standards and could eventually fracture the industry.