Intel and Microsoft to Continue Supporting Existing Huawei Notebooks
by Anton Shilov on June 25, 2019 6:30 PM EST
Ever since Huawei was placed on the United States’ Entity List – effectively banning them from receiving US technology – the fate of support for their existing products has been in limbo. Would shipping firmware updates, security updates, and new OSes to these products violate the requirements of the list? At the time the ban went into effect, this is a question that no one really had a good answer for, either with suppliers or Huawei itself.
But now we’re finally getting some clarity on the issue. On the mobile side of matters, earlier this month Huawei formally announced that its latest two generations of smartphones will get Android Q and other important updates. Meanwhile on the PC side of matters, this week Microsoft and Intel are delivering their own update on the situation. In short (and like the smartphone situation), the two companies will continue providing updates for Huawei’s laptops.
In statements given to PCWorld, the two companies confirmed that they will still be able to offer support to customers with Huawei laptops. Intel, for example, will offer UEFI/BIOS firmware updates that will patch potential security risks of its CPUs (e.g., exploits with Zombieload) as well as drivers for its platforms (e.g., GPU drivers, etc.). Meanwhile Microsoft will naturally offer ongoing updates for its Windows operating system.
“We remain committed to providing exceptional customer experiences. Our initial evaluation of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision on Huawei has indicated we may continue to offer Microsoft software updates to customers with Huawei devices.”
Ultimately this resolution takes care of Huawei’s existing laptops, including those currently in use and remaining inventory still to be sold. Which is incredibly important, as it ensures these devices receive necessary security updates over their lifetimes and don't become easy targets for malware and other attacks. However it doesn't do anything to address the company's inability to build new computers; once the company exhausts its stockpile of CPUs and other components, Huawei will still effectively be on pause as a PC maker so long as the export ban stands.
Related Reading:
- Huawei Clarifies Android Update Situation, Commits to Android Q for Last 2 Generations
- Report: Arm Suspends Business with Huawei - Future Chip Development In Jeopardy
- US Charges Huawei for Technology Theft & Violating Sanctions, China Rebukes "Unreasonable Crackdown"
Source: PCWorld
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AshlayW - Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - link
Nice, less consumer choice, less competition, because Trump had a tantrum and banned Huawei. I hope the Chinese just rip off the technology more than they do already and keep selling it. I'd laugh if other countries didn't respect Trump's dumb rule, too. China needs to massively reduce its reliance on the USA - who thinks it owns the world- especially in semiconductors, and when it does, the USA is going to be pushed to second place real quickly.satai - Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - link
Trump is an evil idiot but it doesn't make Huawei (or China) good guys.Death666Angel - Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - link
Good thing that people who live in the real world don't just see black and white, amirite?WaltC - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
I thought that Odumbo was definitely evil, but somehow even if he wasn't to my tastes at all I found I could endure him--very unlike the lack of complete civility displayed by some towards the current President.*Anyway, as should be common knowledge, the President has lifted all of the restrictions against Huawei--after gaining certain trade concessions from China--which was only as planned.* The legacy press in America is staffed by virtual idiots, imo...;) Every single thing they've said "would never work" has worked out extremely well--the dummies couldn't even understand how a national tax cut might spur the economy! Bizarre times these days.
HStewart - Thursday, June 27, 2019 - link
The problem with China has been going on long before Trump is in office.Start of technology was in 80's but the start of current thread appears started in 2006
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_technolo...
There is nothing bad about putting America first - there is so much cheap stuff from China on Amazon is almost a disgrace.
sonny73n - Friday, June 28, 2019 - link
Putting America first and everyone else second so America can control, dictate and manipulate everyone? America’s past and present actions have proved that it’s the most evil and wicked country in history of mankind. It’s been going around the world carrying weapons, forcing democracy to other countries’ throats with freedom bombs whilst keeping itself at the top so it can control and dictate the world. It also resort to assassination, extortion, kippaping, industry espionage and every other nasty tactics mafia style.Online retailers like Amazon is not a disgrace, they give people options so they won’t be forced into buying from scammer American companies who charge consumers 3x 4x the actual manufacturing cost - part, labor and all.
nikon133 - Sunday, June 30, 2019 - link
Eh, if only they have been forcing democracy to other countries.They have been advertising democracy, but looking at any country that has been "democratized" after the WW2, that really hasn't happened. At all.
I would still rather live in US than in Russia (let alone China), but I do see US foreign policy much more aggressive and destructive to the rest of the world than what any other super power is/has been doing.
HStewart - Thursday, June 27, 2019 - link
I be honest more concern about the AMD products from Huawei. With the related national security risks of AMD created products in China - I be concern of confidential information in security layers inside the chips for encryption and such.satai - Thursday, June 27, 2019 - link
What kind of FUD are the AMD products from Huawei?HStewart - Thursday, June 27, 2019 - link
https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/huawei-m...