Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo forms an alliance to challenge Google Play Store

According to an exclusive report by Reuters, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo are teaming up to create a platform for developers outside of China that can upload apps onto all their app stores simultaneously.

Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo forms an alliance

Huawei x Xiaomi x OPPO x Vivo

Obviously, the move is meant to make the brands not rely too much on Google Play Store. It is a move that is meant to challenge the biggest app market in the world.

GDSA logo

The move by the four companies is dubbed as the Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA).

It is designed to make it easier for developers of games, music, movies, and other apps to market their apps in the overseas market.

There is a prototype website saying that the platform will initially cover nine "regions" including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam

Reuters sources revealed that GDSA launch was initially aimed in March. But, it is unclear if it will be moved due to the recent Coronavirus scare.

Together, the four companies made up of 40.1 percent of the global handset shipments in the fourth quarter of 2019 based on the latest data from IDC.

Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo currently have full access to Google services, but Huawei lost its access due to the "National Security" allegations by US.

Canalys VP of Mobility Nicole Peng said that this alliance will be looking to leverage the others' advantages in different regions. Xiaomi is strong in India, OPPO and Vivo are powerful in Southeast Asia, and Huawei is one of the leaders in Europe.

It could also be used to build some more negotiation power versus Google.

All of the mobile companies involved and Google have yet to comment on this story.

One thing is for sure, this is an interesting development!

Stay tuned for more info.

Source: Reuters