Report: Apple nixed Android's multitouch
Summary
Topics
Now, according to a VentureBeat report by M.G. Siegler, we may have an idea of why Google skipped the feature on its mobile operating system:
Apple, which of course makes the signature multi-touch mobile device, the iPhone, apparently asked Google not to implement it, and Google agreed, an Android team member tells us.
Further, the Android team member went on to say that they were relieved that Google didn't go against Apple's wishes, given the legal storm that appears to be brewing between Apple and Palm, which is using multi-touch technology in its new Pre phone. Even if Apple ultimately decides not to pursue legal action against Palm (it's not yet clear how likely that is, but Apple does have an impressive array of patents), the situation has likely soured the relationship between the two companies. Google, it seems, wants no part in ruining its relationship with Apple.
While this all may sound a bit far-fetched, it's worth noting that last month Apple was awarded a patent titled "Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for determining commands by applying heuristics." Patent No. 7,479,949, originally filed in September 2007, covers the multitouch and all its gestures (swipe, pinch, rotation, etc.) that are used on the Apple iPhone.
A day after that patent was awarded, Apple COO Tim Cook warned iPhone competitors they should understand that Apple "will not stand for having our (intellectual property) ripped off, and we'll use whatever weapons that we have at our disposal." Those comments, made during Apple's fiscal first-quarter earnings call, were believed to be intended for Palm even though Cook did not single out any particular company in making his comments.
Siegler goes on to address the Palm connection:
While the connection between Apple and Palm would seem like it should be strong, given how many former Apple employees now work at Palm, Google and Apple are actually more aligned. Not only does Google specially tailor a ton of its products for the iPhone (both with apps like Maps and Google Search, and specially formatted webpages), but its chief executive, Eric Schmidt, is on Apple's board of directors. And don't underestimate the fact that both share a chief rival: Microsoft.
While the open-source Android can be modified to support multitouch with a few well-placed lines of code, one has to wonder why the feature wasn't initially supported and when Google will officially do so.
Talkback Most Recent of 34 Talkback(s)
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IT_Guy_z11th Feb 2009 -
Windows Mobile rules anyway...
Even without multi-touch, the Start button is where it is at. I ask, is it more intuitive to drag with your fingers then use a stylus and go "Start,Internet,Web Browsers,Internet Explorer"? Apple needs to accept the fact that although they have had some mild success, Windows Mobile 8 (currently in UML stage) will win the day.
Mike Cox11th Feb 2009 -
I agree!
I hope ms keeps the Start button in WM 7 when it comes out in 2010. It was
innovative in 1995 and is still so today!
Can't wait for their App Store as well which should really make buying apps
easy. What did they name it again? Bazzare? Brazier? Something like that...
rynning11th Feb 2009 -
Holy irony overload, Batman!
Most of the time, Mike reigns alone and supreme, and when someone tries the same shtick, they look foolish by comparison. But rynning actually is doing it right.
heres_johnny12th Feb 2009 -
Had some mild success?
I wouldn't leave any of your open drinks alone with your rep today. He's not going to like that statement at all.
Michael Kelly11th Feb 2009 -
You must be joking or you are a troll
"Start,Internet,Web Browsers,Internet Explorer"
vs. touching the Safari icon on the main screen? riiiiight.
proadventurer11th Feb 2009 -
Obviously you are new here.
Mike Cox is one of ZDNet's finest Microsoft champions. A man worthy of great respect from the IT industry.
Mike's relationship with his Microsoft rep(s) is legendary here at ZDNet. It is a relationship (and I think I speak for all those who have followed Mike's insightful comments over the years when I say we truly admire and envy that relationship) born from years of trust, and hours of tireless collaboration, which have resulted in a beautiful symbiotic melding of the minds.
Mike's knowledge, and truly heartfelt love, of everything Microsoft is a gift, and those of us who are unfortunate enough not to possess such loyalty, wait on his every word in the hopes that one day, we too may reach his level of technical nirvana.
Thanks Mike, from all of us here at ZDNet...and please keep the posts coming. Our day isn't complete without your musings.
No, Mike is not a troll, he is a beloved member of the ZDNet family.
IT_Guy_z12th Feb 2009 -
..........
aish, you must be joking.
is that not what shortcuts are for?
lol_camel12th Feb 2009 -
The industry should collectively fight the multi-touch patent
I think if Apple starts threatening companies, the industry should collectively challenge the multi-touch patent. I remember in the 80s, Apple bullied other companies over their use of GUIs. Also, there needs to be some organization in the computer industry against the use of software patents which stifle innovation. One thing is for sure, the industry should not allow Palm to fight alone against Apple over multi-touch.
P. Douglas11th Feb 2009 -
Yeah...
That's not how patents work.
One company comes up with something really interesting, and patents it.
If another company wants in on the action, they will have to license the
technology.
But in a way, I like your idea.
If a dozen companies were to simultaneously sue Microsoft to open up Windows
to their competitors...
Oh, wait, you didn't think of that?
Huh. Well, wouldn't it be interesting if that happened? Suppose an established
company (not Apple, obviously) were to get their hands on the whole Windows
code package, and wrote a spiffy Windows GUI and runtime sandbox on top of
Linux?
Hmm. Windows functionality, but NOT from Microsoft.
That's a different can of worms, now isn't it?
Jkirk327913th Feb 2009 -
FYI, Apple probably violating UD's patent on Multi-touch
Has Apple goes to the court, they could lose that precious multi-touch patent due to prior art and the team "Multi-touch" along the way:
http://industry.bnet.com/technology/1000741/can-apples-multi-touch-patent-withstand-scrutiny-or-challenge/
It would be an eye opener if Apple lose that patent and trademark and everybody is making MT interface...
Samic11th Feb 2009 -
Also the Appeals Court ...
... ruled recently that software used in general computing devices cannot be patented - only software used in highly specific devices.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20081030/1117172691.shtmlP. Douglas11th Feb 2009 -
I haven't found myself wanting multi-touch
This is just personal preference of course, but I have a G1 and my mother has an iPhone, and quite honestly I prefer the controls on my G1 over the iPhone. Once you get past the cool factor, I find that a few quick thumb taps work better for me than having to use a second hand, and I'm not dexterous enough to both hold the phone and use two fingers on the same hand to swipe a screen with.Michael Kelly11th Feb 2009 -
I've asked time and time again for useful examples of multi-touch
and the best that iPhone users could do is list 5 games. I recently read a conversation on ZDNet where one iPhone user learned that you didn't have to use 2 hands to zoom in and out on Safari, you could double tap to zoom in and double tap again to zoom out. He was so excited to learn that!
While I see great uses for multi-touch on big devices and especially for big devices that are being used simultaneously by multiple people, I think multi-touch on a mobile device has to be the #1 most over-hyped feature ever. But hey, it sure is cool in those 5 games!
NonZealot11th Feb 2009 -
not that much
I can see manipulating the environment (moving windows around, resizing things, switching apps, etc), but I'm not sure it has all that much application within programs, even in photo apps, esp on mobile devices other than touchpads.
Single-touch is far more useful and intuitive (and known), while multi-touch takes time, and with Apple's patents, will prob result in different companies having to use different 'actions' to accomplish the same tasks - which ruins the whole deal (imagine if all our keyboards had to be different between manufacturers because one had the qwerty patent and wouldn't license it out).
I love the idea of multi-touch, I just haven't seen any applications of it that make it indispensable.
coffeeshark11th Feb 2009
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