Huawei partners with TomTom for Google Maps alternative

Huawei was forced to develop its own OS for smartphones after it was effectively blacklisted by US President

Huawei’s upcoming flagship smartphones will launch without key Google apps, creating a disadvantage for the Chinese tech giant hit by US sanctions, including Google Maps.

However, the Chinese company has partnered with Dutch navigation and digital mapping company TomTom for the use of its maps and services in smartphone apps according to Reuters.

Huawei was forced to develop its own operating system for smartphones after it was effectively blacklisted by US President Donald Trump’s administration last year out of concerns over national security.

A Google spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the California firm won’t be able to deliver licensed applications such as Gmail, Maps, and YouTube for the new device because of sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump.

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The deal with TomTom means Huawei can now use the Dutch company’s maps, traffic information and navigation software to develop apps for its smartphones.

TomTom spokesman Remco Meerstra said the deal had been closed some time ago but had not been made public by the company.

It was reported earlier that Huawei was planning to create its own Google Maps rival called Map Kit which was equipped with real-time traffic reports and augmented reality features.

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The smartphone giant’s new flagship devices are still powered by Android 10, hence lack of access to Google’s apps serves as a major setback in selling devices outside Asia.

Even if Huawei is to ditch Android completely the company has already begun to develop its own mobile operating system called HarmonyOS but it remained unclear if it will be able to maintain its market share outside China.

This article originally published on TechRadar.