Did Apple Bully Google over Multi-Touch?
Posted 02/11/09 at 11:58:55 AM by Paul Lilly
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It's hard to imagine anyone being able to bully Google into submission, but according to Venture Beat, that's exactly what Apple did. The report claims Apple encouraged Google not to use multi-touch technology in the Android-based G1 mobile phone, and Google agreed, Venture Beat says citing an un-named Android team member as the source.
"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," Venture Beat writes.
And that might not be the only influence Apple had on the G1 handset. According to technology blogger John Gruber, a source told him Apple also took issue with a pre-release G1 prototype Google showed to them over its standard headphone jack. The unidentified source claims Apple owns a patent on "controlling software using buttons connected by a standard 3.5mm headphone jack (at least for music and video playback controls), and would not grant Google a license to the patent."
Getting back to the multi-touch issue, it will be interesting to see if future Android-based handsets implement the technology, even with the threat of a lawsuit lingering.
Image Credit: Google
Cracks FTW
Submitted by BoxyBrown on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:48am
Google should just release a regular touchscreen phone then leak the software needed for the device to be multi touch like the iphone. The software is open source anyway, screw Apple and their overpriced crap.
Google actually has a
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 3:17am
Google actually has a license agreement with Apple that's why some of the technology that Google makes for the Iphone is starting to trickle to the G1. I say screw apple and their attempt at being a patent troll. Apple, Microsoft (to lesser extent), Rambus (to great extent) and all other companies that apply for and get patents just so they can sue everyone and make money through lawsuits are nothing but shitty Patent Trolls. I say Fuck YOU you anti American assholes. I'm sick of these Anti Competitive assholes. I say someone needs to teach these companies that we are not going to sit around and let them fuck up the whole technology industry.
AMEN!!!!!!!!
Submitted by gatorXXX on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 2:16pm
AMEN!!!!!!!!
They no more own the rights to certain aspects of multitouch
Submitted by QUINTIX256 on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:43pm
...than they own the rights to overlapping windows. This is getting rediculous. Someone please challenge Apple's "rights" to the so called click wheel by claiming that the dial on a radio serves as prior art.
You can have your recession. I'm not participating.
"The first thing we must
Submitted by whitneymr on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:11pm
"The first thing we
must do is kill all the lawyers."
Submitted by gatorXXX on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:02pm
Maybe make them bob for APPLES for long periods of time!......WOOT
Submitted by thegamepro on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:11pm
Palm was able to do this just fine so why not google? If not multi-touch then why not a standard headphone jack? I have to use a dongle just to connect a simple headphone to my HTC G1. I'll never understand lawyers because their are millions of electronics right now that have headphone jacks and are controlled with buttons and software. Google needs to fight for their freedom to overcome BS patents.
Submitted by gatorXXX on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:02pm
Actually apple has a lawsuit brewing about multi touch against palm. I have an HTC Touch pro and I have to use a dongle as well. SUCKS ASS APPLE...GET IT! This is why I will never buy an apple product....not even candy apples. I'M A PC....YIPEE!!!!!!
Submitted by gatorXXX on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:37am
I don't own or want anything apple. SCREW APPLE gently with a chainsaw!
Submitted by the_brink on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:28am
Geez, Apple doesnt know how to play with the other boys...
I wish it was the other way
Submitted by Vadi on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:01am
I wish it was the other way around. iPhone isn't appealing to me.
Submitted by festiva_man on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:48am
Apple probably said some things to google. It wouldn't surprise me at all.
Submitted by jko on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:17am
Google most likely wanted to get Android to the market asap. They can always add multi-touch support after some future legal battle. Then sell new phones w/ multi-touch support.
Submitted by jko on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:18am
Oops...sry for the double post. : /
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