Microsoft Pulls Huawei Server Products, Laptop Following US Ban

In the ongoing trade battle between China and the United States, Huawei was blacklisted by the US government, forcing US companies to stop doing business with the company. Although the US government gave Huawei and its partners some breathing room, companies like Google, Intel, and Qualcomm have already stopped working with Huawei.

And now, Microsoft is also joining the bandwagon. Bloomberg is reporting that Microsoft has pulled Huawei’s server products for its Azure Stack technology. Microsoft’s product catalog page that lists Azure Stack HCI solutions from companies like ASUS and others no longer includes Huawei’s offerings. The publication tried to reach out to Microsoft to discuss what the company is planning to do with its business with Huawei, but couldn’t get a comment.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Microsoft stopped selling one of Huawei’s flagship laptops, the MateBook X Pro. The company’s online store no longer has the product listing for the Huawei laptop. That could suggest Microsoft will eventually ban Huawei’s Windows license as long as the company is blacklisted by the US government.

Microsoft remains tight-lipped about its actions with Huawei going forward, and it’s not clear whether the company will end its business with Huawei, including pulling Huawei’s Windows license. Google has already pulled Huawei’s Android license, which is a much bigger threat to the company’s entire business since it relies heavily on its Android phones — and if companies like Microsoft follow through, Huawei could be in even more trouble.

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  • bluvg

    23 May, 2019 - 5:12 pm

    <p>"stopped selling one of Huawei’s flagship laptops, the MateBook X Pro"</p><p><br></p><p>That's sad… Huawei's laptops are lovely standouts with their 3:2 displays.</p>

    • longhorn

      23 May, 2019 - 5:34 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430241">In reply to bluvg:</a></em></blockquote><blockquote>That's sad… Huawei's laptops are lovely standouts with their 3:2 displays.</blockquote><p><br></p><p>Huawei didn't follow the rule-book. Normally only Apple and Microsoft can sell tall displays. If you look at Lenovo, Dell and HP they don't dare touch those displays unless it also comes with an ARM processor.</p><p><br></p>

      • bluvg

        23 May, 2019 - 5:44 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430245">In reply to longhorn:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, shame on Lenovo, Dell, and HP. 3:2 makes more sense for most of their customers, which are using their hardware for work, not just watching widescreen video.</p>

  • MikeGalos

    23 May, 2019 - 5:15 pm

    <p>This really is not about the trade war. Huawei was already under tight scrutiny and restrictions under the Obama administration for violating US regulations including violating the sanctions against Iran during the international embargo and for hacking and stealing technologies from US firms. The Obama Administration negotiated an agreement with the Chinese government to restrict those Chinese state-sanctioned actions in exchange for not taking action against Huawei. The Trump administration, in an act of idiocy, dropped those negotiated agreements. As a result, the protections negotiated were no longer in effect and the result is this ham fisted response.</p><p><br></p><p>To learn more, I'd suggest listening to Richard A. Clarke's excellent Future State podcast. In particular, the episode with former National Security Adviser Susan Rice from last September. It can be found at: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span>&nbsp;futurestatepodcast.com</p>

    • nbplopes

      24 May, 2019 - 8:11 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430242">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>"This really is not about the trade war."</p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Lololol.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">"Huawei was already under tight scrutiny and restrictions under the Obama administration for violating US regulations"</span></p><p><br></p><p>As far has I read it was not Huawei but other Chinese company.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

      • MikeGalos

        24 May, 2019 - 9:20 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430325">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p>Huawei was one of the companies involved back then. There may well have been others.</p>

  • Xatom

    23 May, 2019 - 7:22 pm

    <p>Joined the bandwagon? i think you mean complied with the law. Lose the hyperbole and get the facts.</p>

    • mattemt294

      23 May, 2019 - 11:51 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#430259"><em>In reply to Xatom:</em></a><em> agreed. I doubt any of the companies want to lose the money </em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • illuminated

    23 May, 2019 - 8:40 pm

    <p>I do not understand the Huawei ban. At first it was something related to Iran then 5G then spying. I do not know what the real reasons are anymore. Why just Huawei? Why now? It could be just a trade negotiations game.</p>

    • MikeGalos

      24 May, 2019 - 1:07 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430268">In reply to illuminated:</a></em></blockquote><p>I put some of it in my comment below. If you're actually interested, I'd highly recommend the podcast I mentioned with Richard Clarke and Susan Rice.</p>

      • illuminated

        24 May, 2019 - 11:39 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430299">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Just heard on the news that Huawei could be used as bargaining chip in trade negotiations. So, spying can be renegotiated now. Right. </p>

        • MikeGalos

          24 May, 2019 - 11:59 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#430384">In reply to illuminated:</a></em></blockquote><p>Actually, the old deal negotiated by Susan Rice and her team allowed spying. They knew that was inevitable. What it disallowed was industrial spying.</p>

    • fbman

      24 May, 2019 - 1:21 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430268">In reply to illuminated:</a></em></blockquote><p>Its over 5G, as Huawei are basically gonna win the 5G war, as they are by far the furthest ahead. Some circles are saying that war is basically over and the Huawei version will basically be come the world standard. Trump does not want that.. as it would mean the Chinese will have an advantage in the spying game and not the US.</p><p><br></p><p>Huawei, dont seem to be worried, I saw yesterday.. there OS will be ready by Q4 this year, and there new phone with processors will be ready at Q2 2020 for the world market. will be interesting if this happens,</p>

      • pixymisa

        24 May, 2019 - 3:08 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430301">In reply to fbman:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Huawei's Android skin is terrible and they've been working on it for years. Chances of them getting a robust OS out this year – that is anything other than an absolute stock build of AOSP – are zero.</p>

        • wright_is

          Premium Member
          25 May, 2019 - 2:08 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#430314">In reply to PixyMisa:</a></em></blockquote><p>The EMUI skin is pretty close to the standard Google skin these days. There is a little less flexibility in resizing widgets, but apart from that they aren't really that many differences – they even support the same swipe gestures as standard Android.</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      25 May, 2019 - 2:05 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430268">In reply to illuminated:</a></em></blockquote><p>That is the problem, the US Government insists that there is a problem, but won't show any proof.</p><p>US: "They are bad, ban them."</p><p>World: "Why?"</p><p>US: "Believe us, ban them!"</p><p>World: "Why, where's the proof?"</p><p>USA: "You can't <em>handle</em> the proof! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with backdoors. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Hauwei and you curse the NSA. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Huawei's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the proof, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you <em>want</em> me on that wall. You <em>need</em> me on that wall. We use words like "security", "5G", "smartpones". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very surveillance-state that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a <em>damn</em> what you think you are entitled to!"</p><p>World: "Mum, he's gone mad, hasn't he?"</p>

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    23 May, 2019 - 8:57 pm

    <p>Comments under these Huawei articles are always fun. Can't wait to see what tonight's edition holds. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

  • brduffy

    23 May, 2019 - 9:51 pm

    <p>Lets see how good this company is. They now have an opportunity to develop their own mobile OS and make it work seamlessly with a desktop OS like linux or something of their own making. They could make their own chips too. They could be the next Apple. Sky is the limit :-P</p>

    • LocalPCGuy

      24 May, 2019 - 12:06 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430286">In reply to brduffy:</a></em></blockquote><p>Huawei already makes their own processors and using them outside the US for seven years. The problem is they use an ARM license, which has now been revoked. They might switch to MediaTek, which is a notch below just about anything. </p>

    • MikeGalos

      24 May, 2019 - 1:09 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430286">In reply to brduffy:</a></em></blockquote><p>To write their own OS they'd need to create a version of an OS that was either compatible with some existing OS or create an entire ecosystem of software. And if they go for a compatible design they'll need to not use any licensed patents from existing operating systems if they want to sell outside of China.</p>

      • wright_is

        Premium Member
        24 May, 2019 - 3:48 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#430300">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>They should have their own OS ready by the end of the summer and in new products early next year. It will also run all Android apps – so it is probably AOSP + their own services layer, mimicking the Google services.</p><p>Likewise, some Enterprise Linux offering would be fine on the server side, E.g. CentOS, which is free to install and use, you just have to pay for support. Likewise, Ubuntu, SUSE, Fedora, Mint etc. would be a quick fit on the desktop side.</p>

        • MikeGalos

          24 May, 2019 - 4:23 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#430316">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>And how do they do that without paying the licensing fees for the parts of Linux that are under license from Microsoft and which they can't license due to being on the blacklist?</p>

          • wright_is

            Premium Member
            24 May, 2019 - 4:39 am

            <blockquote><em><a href="#430317">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>I thought Microsoft had now donated licenses for all the patents to Linux?</p><p>https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-joins-open-invention-network-to-help-protect-linux-and-open-source/</p><p>https://uk.pcmag.com/news-analysis/117896/microsoft-to-shield-linux-developers-from-patent-battles</p&gt;

            • MikeGalos

              24 May, 2019 - 12:01 pm

              <blockquote><em><a href="#430318">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>That doesn't mean they don't still own them. Licensing a use, even for free, doesn't mean you lose ownership. Especially in cases where the licensee is on a "no trade" blacklist. </p><p><br></p>

              • skane2600

                24 May, 2019 - 12:41 pm

                <blockquote><em><a href="#430411">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>As extreme as US actions are already, I doubt that MS can be compelled to sue over a patent violation. Of course, it they did, it could drag on for years and what's the enforcement method? I doubt that most of the world has any appetite for supporting the US in such a fight.</p>

                • MikeGalos

                  24 May, 2019 - 9:22 pm

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#430431">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>It's not so much suing over that violation as much as it would give the US to go into partner nations and have them block the new OS as in violation of international IP law.</p>

                • skane2600

                  24 May, 2019 - 9:56 pm

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#430523">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Well, as I said, the question is whether those other nations will cooperate or even recognize those patents as legitimate. This is a particularly sticky issue with regard to Linux given it's open source nature. There's a reason why Microsoft hasn't tried to enforce these patents and that reason doesn't cease to exist even in these circumstances. </p>

                • wright_is

                  Premium Member
                  25 May, 2019 - 1:58 am

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#430523">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>As most of those patents refer to software, they would be unenforceable in Europe, for example. The EU Patent Commission decided several years ago that software is not patentable, it is already amply covered by copyright.</p><p>As OSS software has a free license, they wouldn't be able to do much, unless Huawei violated the terms of the license.</p>

              • wright_is

                Premium Member
                25 May, 2019 - 1:56 am

                <blockquote><em><a href="#430411">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>The problem is, they would have to sue the Linux Distribution that Huawei is using. If it is a "free" distribution, there isn't really much anyone can do. The OSS licenses don't have any clause saying "you are free to use our software, unless you are under embargo from the USA". </p><p>And there are already Chinese distributions.</p><p>As long as Huawei take the standard GNU/Linux base and don't break the license conditions, they are covered.</p>

    • rm

      24 May, 2019 - 8:24 am

      <blockquote><a href="#430286"><em>In reply to brduffy:They will just fall back to the open source Android and add any services over the top of it. Such as replacing the Play Store. This hurts Huawei in the short term and Google in the long term (no more 30% to Google for Play Store purchases).</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • brduffy

        24 May, 2019 - 9:43 am

        <blockquote><a href="#430330"><em>In reply to RM:</em></a><em> The point is that an eco system is a very hard thing to get people to buy into. Various vendors have been trying for years to get people to adopt linux on the desktop. Microsoft with all of their money and power could not make a mobile eco system work. If </em>Huawei pulls both those things off it will be very impressive indeed.</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • harrymyhre

    Premium Member
    24 May, 2019 - 12:14 am

    <p>This is just pure speculation and blue sky thinking. </p><p><br></p><p>microsoft. Google. Who else. Gives Huawei the fosters freeze. </p><p><br></p><p>So okay, the Linux boys make a deal with Huawei and the year of the Linux desktop becomes a reality. But they need to move fast. </p>

  • nbplopes

    24 May, 2019 - 8:05 am

    <p>In my view, Mr. Trump just nuked a major Chinese tech company.</p><p><br></p><p>Furthermore, he is putting US allies to ransom to make them stop pursuing business with this company. For instance, it is known that major European Telcos were planning to use Huawai 5G tech given how advanced it was … If they now do, US may in effect blacklist them in the same line by not complying with the US embargo to Huawei. ARM for instance has already complied with the embargo to escape any possible US sanctions. </p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">No major Chinese tech company has been allowed to work in the US without Government persecution has far as I understand, if allowed .</span></p><p><br></p><p>Oppo</p><p>OnePlus</p><p>Xiaomi</p><p>Huawai</p><p>DJI</p><p><br></p><p>None of them operate freely in the US if they operate at all as far as I understand. </p><p><br></p><p>Don't know if this is all justified but this has far more political ramifications than you guys are thinking.</p><p><br></p><p>Get your popcorns.</p><p><br></p><p>DISCLAIMER: I do not use any of these companies products. I use Apple products … I know also a foreign company as far as some of you guys are concerned :)</p><p><br></p><p>I'm just telling it as I see it.</p><p><br></p>

    • Andi

      24 May, 2019 - 2:42 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#430324">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed. Allegedly the Nokia Ericsson solution still relies on Huawei for a part of their 5G solution. Huawei is the undisputed leader in 5G. Trump doesn't care about nuking a champion of the industry as collateral in a bigger fight. One thing are tariffs, but this is outright aggression via executive order.</p>

  • skane2600

    24 May, 2019 - 10:54 am

    <p>I wonder if some of these moves by companies in the US and elsewhere could violate international laws. Sanctions can always work both ways.</p>

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