Huawei Reveals US Smartphone And Wearable Push

Huawei, the Chinese mobile and networking giant, has said that it plans to start a push into the North American market with its smartphones and wearable devices.

It was 2012 when US authorities found Huawei equipment to be a threat to national security. Officials accused Huawei along with fellow Chinese manufacturer ZTE of stealing intellectual property from American companies and spying on Americans.

National Security Agency

But in March 2014, Snowden revelations alleged that it was in fact the US that was spying on China, with the National Security Agency (NSA) planting ‘back doors’ into telecommunication networks run by Huawei.

Huawei officials told Reuters that the company, well known for its Honor and premium smartphone devices, plans to introduce the products to the US market.

This is the first time any consumer strategy has been revealed for the North American market, and the 2015 plans, say Huawei, include online promotion, advertising, and sports team sponsorships.

Huawei is already involved with multiple sports teams in Europe, including a sponsorship deal with British football team Arsenal.

Wearables

In Barcelona this week, Huawei launched a range of wearable devices as it looks to assert its authority in an increasingly important device market.

Unveiled at Mobile World Congress, the Huaweri Watch and two fitness bands, the TalkBand B2 and the TalkBand N1, are powered by Android’s wearable operating system Android Wear and are part of Huawei’s “expanding” premium line.

“We have responded to consumers’ requests from around the world asking for a smartwatch featuring a timeless design that is truly smart from within. Through Huawei’s continued commitment to ‘Make It Possible,’ the Huawei Watch delivers on that promise and gives the consumer a premium smartwatch that is technologically innovative,” said Richard Yu, CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group.

The US market is currently controlled by Apple and Samsung, with US carriers not providing Huawei phones.

The Chinese firm, founded in 1987, holds less than 1 percent of the US market according to IDC. However, direct competitor ZTE has managed to grasp a 6.4 percent share in the market – mostly by offering budget smartphones.

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