Apart from Apple, most smartphone producers harness Google's software for their devices.
One of these manufacturers is Huawei - China's largest smartphone vendor.
However, the firm's use of Google's operating system was shrouded in uncertainty on May 19 when Google revoked Huawei's Android licence after the Trump administration placed the Chinese firm on a trade blacklist.
Essentially, this meant it was unclear if Huawei devices would receive Google's forthcoming Android Q operating system or other future updates and patches.
Although the Android block was initially immediately imposed on Huawei Technologies, an extension was since granted to the company - this will expire on August 19.
Huawei has claimed its devices will continue to receive Android updates and patches whether they are granted an Android licence once more or not.
Moreover, the firm has also expressed confidence a number of smartphones, such as the P30 Pro, will indeed be granted Google's forthcoming Android Q operating system.
In fact, the firm recently held a Developer Conference in China where the its new EMUI 10 software based on Android Q was revealed.
During the event Huawei also unveiled an entirely new operating system dubbed HarmonyOS that could be used as an alternative to Android - but the firm stated this would only be the case if it is unable to utilise Google's software.
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| Express.co.uk spoke with Dr. Wang Chenglu about HarmonyOS |
Essentially, Huawei believes if a user's smartwatch runs the same operating system as their smart television, it would not only increase unity between the two devices but also allow for functions to seamlessly be transferred between the two.
This could mean if a user is monitoring a sports game on their watch, they may theoretically be able to instantly stream that particular match to their TV once they get home.
The Chinese tech firm's insistence that HarmonyOS is only set to debut on IoT devices was reaffirmed shortly after the operating system's announcement when Honor, owned by Huawei, unveiled a new smart television running the software.
Express.co.uk attended Huawei's Developer Conference and, after proceedings, spoke with Dr. Wang Chenglu, president of the software engineering department at Huawei Consumer Business Group, about HarmonyOS.
In particular, this outlet asked Mr Wang if he believed harnessing HarmonyOS instead of Android on Huawei smartphones could have any standout advantages.
Express.co.uk