According to a Reuters report, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi are partnering on a new integrated mobile store for Android that can replace the Google Play Store.
The new platform is called the Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA), and it’s not just for apps: The firms want to provide developers with a single place to market and distribute apps, games, music, and movies to their customers outside of China. It will start in India, Indonesia, and Russia, the report claims, and will expand from there.
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
None of the companies have confirmed the report, though Huawei was already known to be expanding its own store and mobile OS efforts because of its blacklisting by the U.S. government. Perhaps not surprisingly, its China-based competitors are likewise worried about their ability to use tech based in the U.S. and are rushing to create an alternative. One that, in this case, could actually rival Google Play Store.
And they can literally rival Google: Reuters notes that the four companies together represent over 40 percent of the global smartphone market, with Huawei the clear number two player, behind Samsung and ahead of Apple. Had the U.S. not blacklisted Huawei last year, that firm might have already overtaken Samsung for the top spot by now.
The GDSA could go live as soon as March, the report claims, but it could be delayed somewhat because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
PeterC
<blockquote><em><a href="#518651">In reply to Pbike908:</a></em></blockquote><p>This will get alot of traction in China, India, Russia and probably Africa too. Thats basically the worlds growth markets. </p>
PeterC
<p>Excellent news. At last some much needed choice to bring some healthy balance and competition. Ace. Looks like BBK are making their moves ahead of further Chinese/Indian/Russian market diversification’s.</p>