Google axed Android multitouch at Apple's request

[Chris Davies]

Multitouch support was dropped from the Android platform, and therefore the T-Mobile G1, after Apple requested it not be included.Â* That's the Read more

[Jrbourque898]

Even though my phone is rooted so i have multi touch in the browser. This is B.S. Google is holding back on their handsets to please patent hungry apple? Don't agree with that move what so ever

[gbk1]

Even though my phone is rooted so i have multi touch in the browser. This is B.S. Google is holding back on their handsets to please patent hungry apple? Don't agree with that move what so ever

Would you want to deal with lawsuits and break "relations" with a huge company where there is potential in pulling in $$$
Working with Apple and not licensing anything under Apple while working around patents for you for free, for their gain is a smart move.

[RaQHoliday]

Link doesn't work

[Fare]

aye, the link has been butchered, go here.

I agree, this seems plausible. Google heavily develops for the iPhone, they have alot to lose to make apple their enemy...

[Chris Davies]

Thanks for the heads-up on the link Should work now...

[Wrytch]

Would you want to deal with lawsuits and break "relations" with a huge company where there is potential in pulling in $$$
Working with Apple and not licensing anything under Apple while working around patents for you for free, for their gain is a smart move.

I agree. I’m not happy about Google’s decision to stifle a feature like this, but it is certainly understandable. They are a business with long-term goals and like running a marathon, it’s all about pace and endurance; not sprinting ahead just to be ahead in the early sectors.

[joshtheitguy]

I say Apple is evil and full of sh*t, this proves it more then ever.

I usually get flamed (and most likely will right now) but this is clear evidence of Apple patenting a very broad spectrum covering touch screens and they will sue anyone whom uses any technology similar or the same. I could see if Google had opened the source for Apple's multi-touch system and implemented their code but they didn't that isn't the case and this is purely a clear case of patent trolling.

Just because Apple patented any process which involves putting more then one finger on a capacitive screen everyone is hostage to yet another frivolous patent which stifles innovation.


http://w2.eff.org/patent/wp.php

This crap needs to end, all these damn software patents and crippling innovation and the progression of technology.

[Mason_S]

From a business standpoint, this was a good preliminary move by Google. We see the fruits of that now, even as Apple and Palm are in a war of words over multi-touch, the G1 is never mentioned in any of the controversy.

However, now having come to light certain details about the patents Apple has been awarded, I think now would be prime time for Google and OHA to add certain multi-touch features to the OS and give access to multi-touch to developers to be incorporated into further application development. You see, in reality, the patents which Apple was recently awarded are very limited: they have not, and indeed, cannot patent gestures like pinching to zoom. This was in the original brief submitted by Apple for patent, but was not included in the final patents awarded to them based on that brief (likely on the grounds that such gestures had been in use long before Apple incorporated them into the iPhone).

Inasmuch as the multi-touch features do not infringe on the very limited patents recently awarded to Apple, there should be no legitimate case against Google and OHA for incorporating them. Does this mean Apple will not blow some smoke? Certainly not. Though they too have their relationship with Google to consider.

[f4phantomii]

The real question is whether or not Google will remove the multi-touch software hooks from the Android codebase in subsequent releases.

And if you guys think Apple is bad....sheesh...you should deal with some other companies. Honeywell, I'm looking squarely in your direction.