As great as Android phones are getting, there has been one major feature lacking that users have complained about: multi-touch. Yes, some third-party apps have been free to use it on certain devices, but the best Android apps, those made by Google, have all lacked it.
With the Android update announced for Nexus One phones today, Google has enabled multi-touch for its Browser, Gallery, and Maps applications. Specifically, they’ve enabled the popular pinch-to-zoom functionality that iPhone users are fond of.
So why did Google wait all this time to implement this obvious feature when its devices have been capable of it since the G1? Well, a report last year (written by me for another publication), cited a source within Google who noted that Apple and Google had a gentleman’s agreement that Android wouldn’t encroach on what Apple believed to be its property, certain multi-touch gestures, like pinch-to-zoom. With Apple and Google now fighting, all bets are apparently off.
Android chief Andy Rubin has said that there was no conspiracy about multi-touch, and suggested the Google apps haven’t implemented it simply because he didn’t like the functionality too much. But given that just about every Android user disagrees with him, that statement seems suspicious, at best. And why the change of heart now? And why does it happen to coincide with a time that Apple and Google are clearly at odds with one another?
While the two used to be just about as close as two companies can be, sharing two board members, one of whom was Google CEO Eric Schmidt, things have turned sour as the two are increasingly competing in various fields. This led to Schmidt resigning from Apple’s board last year, and since then things have gotten more sour. While the whole Google Voice not being allowed onto the iPhone situation was one thing, Steve Jobs reportedly made recent remarks that Google’s Android team was out to destroy the iPhone (as well as other disparaging remarks about Google).
And the battle continues on — those new Chrome OS tablet mock-ups are clearly envisioning multi-touch usage, just like Apple’s new iPad.
Apple and Google also apparently used to have a gentleman’s agreement not to poach each others workers, we reported in August. But again, with the situation between the two deteriorating, that is apparently off now as well.
And Google may have another reason to be okay with implementing multi-touch now: the Palm Pre. Since its launch last year, webOS (the OS that runs on the Pre and other new Palm devices) has allowed for native multi-touch, including pinch-to-zoom. While Apple has made some thinly veiled threatening comments about protecting their IP, they have so far not sought any legal action against Palm for this. Microsoft’s new Zune device uses similar multi-touch functionality too. Maybe Google now believes that Apple is not going pursue legal action against the use of this, despite their many multi-touch patents.
[image: warner brothers pictures]
i know this might be hard to believe mg, but they’re 2 different companies. aka their competitors, so why is this a suprise to you? ms has multitouch in their phones and zune too. zomg
because it took them well over a year to do this when they could have from day one. story isn’t the feature, it’s the story behind the feature.
meh. you are the pulse of the internet mg. gotta love it. respekt.
I need a popcorn delivery service, damn webvan!!!…. this Google Vs Apple royal battle (GARB) is getting better everyday. Where are good screenwriters, when you need one? This like Act 2 scene 1,
Act 2 scene 2 comes when Google will release Chrome tablet.
those sorry Yahoo, could could be adding fun to this show, instead, those punks keep shooting services everyday…
I hope they die soon if they dont have nothing to contribute to tech anymore, (go rest in peace like webvan…)
We the customers shall be grateful when this battle is finally over bcos lots of great tech gadget shall be made, and victory shall go to the most innovative company…
I still need a service like webvan. I need popcorn suggestions?
“But given that just about every Android user disagrees with him..”
this is weak. Android users don’t care about multi-touch. They care about multi-tasking
It’ll be cool, but not as earth-shattering as when the iPhone starts acting like a real computer
I agree. I got the update yesterday for my Nexus and still prefer the double tap. It’s infinitely faster since it zooms to the and formats for the screen.
Amen.
“there has been one major feature lacking that users have complained about…”
…umm, maybe iPhone-using TechCrunch writers, but I don’t think the rest of us missed it.
Multitouch requires two hands. Tapping doesn’t.
…in what world does multitouch require two hands?
Well, you have got to hold the phone in another hand while you pinch. Most double tappings can be done with the thumb of the same hand that you are using to hold the device.
@Irha is right – Multitouch require two hands as opposed to double tapping. (Eww! I hear that even after the multitouch update, double tap works)…
A stupid title from a stupid pundit writing what amounts to 22 twitter posts worth of nothing about a non-issue.
How the hell do you have a job, you hack?
Ogg—
what is your job?
You use very harmful and heated words.
It is really a bummer to see posts like this.
You made me feel sick.
Do you hurt people often?
You may be speaking to the writer of this post but frankly your comment has hurt me as well
please refrain from such hurtful comments.
It is more than fine to disagree and let the author know you are not happy with his writing style but to “FLAME” in a way that is hurtful to everyone who reads your comment is really not cool.
+1 and love that you spelled Dog’s name wrong.
I’m sorry that you lost that testicle in the war of 1812.
Grow a pair, dude. You sound like a total wimp and you are definitely a major drama queen. Man up!!
Dave – get a life and stop being such a faggoted-apple-zombie-tw*t!
Hey relax guy!! You need a rest…
Since reading the TC post for the past 2 months. I think this is the 2nd time, I see Fightclub being used to a post.. lol, what was their rule again? “The second rule of Fight Club is, you DO NOT talk about Fight Club” But on Google/Apple’s case, oh they are starting it and the public is watching.
When Andy Rubin said, that he “just doesn’t” like the multitouch — I thought it was pure BS, and he is concealing something. Well now, that Google finally put that ‘pinching’ functionality with their superphone. It just means, that the fight club has now really begun!. All the problems of the N1 phone compiled: http://bit.ly/nexus-one-detailed-problems
One thing that I know about google, is don’t TRUST what they are saying, rather, trust what they do… Its all what counts..
(Don’t be evil?) — it should be (Don’t be soo evil!)
is that Fight Club? I thought the audience looked a bit old-timey
I actually thought it was Snatch at first, till is saw the bowlers. I’m thinkin that’s Sherlock Holmes. Good flick
I hate Google!!! The sneakiest company ever.
You should hate the fact that you can patent gesture…
You think of an idea. You get the patent for it. Simple as it is. No actual proof of concept needed. That’d be to be said that anyone can patent anti-gravity engines, and if someone actually comes up with one, you can say:”that’s my idea!”
No, you can’t patent an idea, only a particular implementation of that idea. Good luck trying to patent the idea of anti-gravity engines!
Thus, Apple didn’t patent zooming; they patented the particular gesture used to zoom. If someone else copies that gesture, then they are infringing on Apple’s patent. End of story.
Actually, there is no way to patent someone using two fingers to pinch to zoom. Its how the system is designed to respond to a pinch that can be patented. And zoom is not the response. Its the technical response… how touch capacitors (hardware layer) interact with objects (ie, photos) in the software layer. The idea is using two fingers to pinch to zoom. That’s the gesture, that’s the idea. You can’t patent it. You can patent how the hardware and software respond to such an action.
Huh !?
You cant patent the pinching gesture ! We humans have been pinching each other ever since we had genders and buttocks.
What you might be able to patent is “pinching a screen causes the content displayed on the screen to shrink”. Which sounds like an “idea” to me.
So if I move my mouse to the right in order to move my cursor to the right… does Logitech own that?
Apple can’t own the gesture. End of story.
So they patented a gesture ! what’s the value here? I mean they patented a gesture, this is sick, just imagine everybody doing this !
The reason Apple is not going after Palm is because Palm has so many patents in PDA technology it would lead to a patent war that even Apple doesn’t want to get involved with.
patent this gesture!
*middlefinger*
I’m doing it as hard as i can. (lol)
I’m with you brother!
Haha, the best comments ever!
I just did! And now you and half the planet owe me lots of money! muuhhaaahahahahah!
Agreed! Touch to zoom has beeen there in movies forever!
patents are evil
Hmm? You hate them for adding additional functionality to their OS? What evil bastards! How dare they improve their products?!?!?!?!
More sneaky than Apple? I doubt it.
Also, you’re basing Google’s ethics on a rumor. Basing facts entirely on rumor can be trouble.
Most jelous people hate it
Lil’ fun fact: the European version of the Motorola Droid, the Milestone, had multi-touch implemented in its browser right from the start.
That’s a pretty well-known fact for us Android users who pay attention… I think anyone that gives a damn about multi touch on their Android phone likely rooted it anyways, thereby enabling multi touch
It’s always supported multi-touch, it just wasn’t enabled because Apple has certain patents that prevent/ed Google from enabling it in the US.
Nexus One has no critical mass, iPhone does.
And by the way, 2007 called they want their baseline iPhone features back.
Seriously? How about MMS 8 years later? or copy paste? or how about multitask. Lets not start with basic feature withholdings of each device, you do not want that.
Red herrings.
You forgot the phone service (a key part of the “phone” part of iPhone) is horrible.
Ahahaha … Please. In which generation iPhone did Apple finally introduce copy & paste?
Android, as a platform, has critical mass
At CES, there was an Android microwave, for godsake
Having owned the g1, magic and hero, I don’t think apple have anything to worry about when it comes to google killing the iPhone. The android interface (not the os) has a long way to go before it will be a keeper for me. I just tasted the chomped fruit and there is no looking back for me. It’s just a better experience for the way I use a phone.
Really? And what is so much better in iPhone’s UI? I honestly think it sucks compared to even Android 1.5. Android 2.1 blows iPhone away. Not to mention that there are so many UI replacements. With Android you have choices and you’re not told what’s best for you! With iPhone (and Apple in general) – you’re seeing the world the way Steve Jobs wants you to see it. Given I’ve been raised in an ex-communist country, I’ve learned that having choices is the most precious freedom and that’s why I prefer Google and even Microsoft to Apple. Apple turns you all into zombies.
Nik, you have to remember that the mass public is not as tech savvy as you and I. Having options confuse people, which eventually leads to frustration and just saying “this device is too hard for me”.
With the iphone, you’re being told what to do cause that’s so much easier. It just works. No modifications and all of that other bullshit.
Now is the iphone the best device for you? According to what you said, probably not! But you gotta step outa your own shoes and see the world from the majority point of view.
Just replace “iphone” with “communism” in Kam’s message and it sounds very different..
I did, and that’s funny!
Now do it again, this time use “religion”
This is a load of crap. If the “mass public” hated options, Widows wouldn’t be the number one computer OS, the top 5 phone manufacturers in the world wouldn’t be Nokia, LG, Samsung, Motorola and Sony, and the iPhone would be selling outselling BlackBerries.
No, a particular brand of well-heeled, hipper-than-thou geeks don’t like having to think about what they buy, and so just go into an Apple store, certain in the knowledge that if it is sold in the Apple store, it must be the best thing in the world.
*windows.
also not all apple users are geeks, even if the public does get their apple information for free ala tech websited. but i do agree with the than thou part. i think you can have that with any company/products but it really does seem to maximize, intenralize, and reach the zenith with apple. but then again you can say the same about the people who hate the company.
Come on, Lee… Windows is NOT the the number one OS because people love choice. That is totally absurd. It’s the most widespread OS because
A) it conquered office environments first
B) office workers were forced to get acquainted with it
C) it was so ubiquitous that mainstream people didn’t know there was anything else worth buying.
THUS, people weren’t interested in evaluating or CHOOSING an OS based upon any criteria other than it was what they knew how to use and everyone else had it. Choice? Yeah, right.
No soapko, what is totally absurd is this idea that even though Apple products were on the shelves of major retailers all across the country, and nearly ubiquitous in every college in America, that for a decade nobody knew they existed, or thought about buying them. This is a pure Machead fantasy. Back in the early ’90s I worked at several computer retailers, both large and small, all of which carried Macs, and people were constantly looking at the Macs, and deciding not to buy them.
The “average Joe” has NEVER been as ignorant and clueless as Macheads like to think they are. Believe it or not, the computer buyer in the late ’80s-early ’90s was a lot MORE informed than the computer buyers of today, because there were so MANY choices. DOS, Windows, OS/2, NT, Mac, Amiga, Atari, they were all on store shelves, and people were quite aware of them. No matter how much it might pain you, Windows won that fight, because it gave people what they wanted, not because it tricked them into it, or because they were “forced” to use it.
@soapko I agree with your points but I’d also like to say that because Microsoft was smart enough to license Windows, hardware costs was/is the main reason why people choose Windows machine. And yes, they do choose them.
They look at the price tag of a Mac and compare it to a PC and realize that they could get equivalent hardware for far less money.
They also look at the form factor. Windows machines have so much variety to fit different people’s needs. I looked at MacBooks a couple years ago and didn’t see a single Mac that was powerful AND light, whereas I could get a Dell in every other flavour.
If Steve Jobs was willing to license the Mac OS, there would more people willing to switch.
But he won’t. Because he’s a crazy control freak.
Couldn’t agree more Kam. While I may like the Android interface and capabilities – I’ve never thought it was meant “for the masses.” In fact, soon enough, it might as well be the next WinMo. For some it’s always just going to be too complicated to mess with on a phone.
So are you saying that Apple fans are just plain LAZY???
Maybe people simply need an option of either having options or being told what to do..the choice of having choices or not..
Yea !!!
A “BATAILLE ROYALE”.
Exciting..
Journalists love it because it’s selling,
Users greed for it because we get fast upgrades,
This is the best headline in the history of tech writing
thanks baratunde – means a lot coming from you!
and if somebody else would have told you what? woudnt matter? stop suc.king this guys di.ck
La.me re.ply, Da.vid
I would have preferred
Did Google just multi-touch-up Apple?
Agreed.
I agree! Everytime I see or think of the word multi-punch, I just have to laugh.
Wow..Apple Fanboys are getting very insecure. Time to get the popcorn
It’s lining up to be quite a battle between Apple and Google. Can’t wait for the pay-per-view.
Any feedback yet from Android developers about working with Google? I recall a lot of griping about dealings with Apple from developers.
hmmm… another Mike D. that thinks like i do… weird
I love how as soon as Apple adds a feature thats been around for a decade, the fanboys scream in joy but when someone adds a feature THEY have its all out war and calling them out as thieves playing catch-up. Gimme a break, biggest community of insecure hypocrites I have ever come across.
Face it, Apple faced this road 10 years back when Microsoft ate Macs for breakfast, I can see that happening again with Android and iPhones. iPhones can’t go so far, especially if they intend to control everything. Look at it this way, Android OS can be used on a phone or any gadget that can run linux pretty much. iPhone OS? It can only run on iPhone, that limits its future.
these gentleman agreements between Google and Apple probably violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
they are interesting, to say the least…
It may be a breach of the Sherman Act but I suspect not. I would have thought that Eric Schmidt sitting on the board of Apple, as he had, would never be kosher (i.e., a breach of his fiduciary duty to Google). But for every legal standard there are many exceptions. Doesn’t make it moral, but doesn’t make it illegal either.
Ali Davar, Worio
Schmidt also had a fiduciary responsibility to Apple shareholders. I can’t imagine how he could fulfill that when at the same time he was leading a company planning to compete with Apple is so many critical ways. How would he ever reasonably expect to advise Apple in good faith on anything?
Youtube, Maps, and other Google services had almost nothing to do with iphones success. Google has given Apple nothing, and yet they steal the pinchy finger thing in return. Bastards.
Really? There was so much stupid in that comment, I don’t even know where to start. Without youtube and maps, the iPhone would have been completely 3rd rate. Those are and have been massively important features. An even more important feature you’re glossing over is Google ads, which support the vast majority of free ad-supported apps. Lastly, the “pinchy finger thing” isn’t Apple’s. If you want evidence of that, Surface employs it and appeared in the 2005(2 years before the iPhone was announced) movie The Island.
I think (hope) he was being sarcastic. iPhone is nothing without Google’s apps on there
the only Google i use on my iPhone is Maps. agood one, but i use much more applications from Apple, and much more from other software editors.
True, iPhone is nothing without Google products. Really. And wait until Google Navigation is available on iPhones, I wonder if Google will even let that happen though, probably not at this point. Apple only shot themselves in the foot.
probably the most things that iPhone users use are Youtube, Maps and other Google services!! :p
You’re joking right?
I read somewhere that the 3mm headphone jack was left off the G1 for the “Gentlemen’s Agreement” too. Thankfully, they’re putting it on the phones now.
damn is that true..? cuz it didn’t take me long to lose my headphones for the G1, and still, after many moons, have utterly failed to order new ones
Any patent war over multi-touch is likely to devolve into an extended slugfest with many different mobile technologies … and wouldn’t look good on Apple with users anyways.
On the other hand, patents that are undefended for a long time might be ultimately unenforceable.
Get a life MG!
I would like to say congrats to all US Android users, you deserve it.
And yes, I’m cheesy.
“Maybe Google now believes that Apple is not going pursue legal action against the use of this, despite their many multi-touch patents.”
But the question is indeed, is multi-touch technology on mobile devices protected by Apple patents? If thats the case then Apple won’t take long to sue everybody around. Why not….?
Does Apple actually hold patents on these gestures? I was not aware they did. Apple has many multitouch patents but so do a wealth of other companies. Is there actually any legal ground for Apple to even go after Google for adding these gestures or was Google just “being nice” to Apple by not doing it? Some more description of the legal standing would help clarify this.
Yes, they do. They are available at the US Patent website. That said, there are many reasons competitors agree to cross-license tech too. While everyone wants this to be something HUGE… it might be that other are paying Apple a fee to use certain tech… and now so is Google. I won’t see this as a big deal until the lawyering starts.
I believe you are mistaken. Apple has applied for many gesture patents, including several that had already been granted to Microsoft. Apple also ended up owning several Fingerworks gesture patents. I do not believe that anywhere in there though, do they actually hold a granted patent on pinching to zoom.
Also, no one currently using multitouch gestures is licensing them from Apple, because Apple refuses to do so. Nokia tried to play nice and work out a cross-licensing deal with Apple, and Apple refused, preferring instead to completely ignore the several Nokia GSM patents they are willfully infringing. Motorola tried to play nice and cross license, and Apple refused, preferring instead to ignore the several Motorola base phone patents they are infringing. Palm didn’t even try to play nice, and flat out told Apple that they would welcome any legal action by Apple, as the iPhone infringes on a staggering number of Palm UI patents.
As for Google, I would assume they had an agreement not to use multitouch gestures as part of developing several pieces of software for the iPhone, and have now decided there is no point in honoring the agreement with a company who is so clearly and blatantly hostile to them. I just wish Adobe would follow suit, and stop giving Apple a free ride on all they Adobe IP they are also infringing (even more so now that Adobe owns Macromedia).
adobe isn’t stupid. they don’t want to cut their own knees. i’m glad they and apple are bringing this flash issue to a head. if apple never allows flash on their platforms or only crippled, adobe should get over it and move on like they are with other companies/products and they are already circumventing apple’s best intentions of no flash by staying within the rules apple sets out because apple doesn’t want to call attention to themselves via government.
Actually, as Apple sells more and more products that compete directly with Adobe (Final Cut, Motion, Aperture, Logic), Apple’s importance to Adobe becomes less and less. Apple already accounts for fewer than 25% of Adobe’s sales, and they have said repeatedly over the last several years that they are having to put a disproportionate amount of work into the Mac versions for the return they are getting from them. Sure, a lot of graphics professionals are die-hard Apple loyalists, but as Avid found out quite painfully, those Apple loyalists will drop 3rd-party software in the blink of an eye if Apple tels them to.
Every year, Adobe has less and less of the Mac market, because Apple is convincing those people to shun Adobe software in favor of Apple software. If Apple adds a few features to their professional software, Adobe will suddenly find themselves almost completely shut out of the Mac market for everything except Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Flash, the last of which Apple is already aggressively trying to convince Macheads is garbage they don’t need.
Adobe has a very tough road ahead of them, because as Apple moves from subtly undermining the perception of Adobe’s software (as they have for years with their professional software marketing) to aggressively criticizing the quality of Adobe’s products (as Jobs did this week), and even blaming Adobe for ever crash a Mac might have, Adobe has to decide if they really want to wage this war on Apple’s home turf, where Apple sets all the rules, or if they want to withdraw and move the fight somewhere else.
If I were at Adobe, I would have the lawyers looking at the feasibility of DOJ action as we speak.
Fantastic news. Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition.
This is the same Andy Rubin who for months insisted that there was no Google phone prior to the Nexus One launch. His credibility is suspect.
he’s towing the company line. he has to. he can’t let the cat out of the bag too early. it’s business.
Google’s mock up looks rushed, but never count the quiet guy out. Then again, if I see how the the Adobe creatives are buzzing about the Apple iPad, it seems Google may need more than multi-tasking lip-service:
http://www.markzware.com/blogs/adobe-illustrator-indesign-ipad-coming-soon-adobe-asks-feedback/2010/02/01/
Creatives start buzzing every time Jobs sneezes. Doesn’t say much about the iPad either way.
Great article, and yes that might be the greatest title in all of techdom right now.
MG just made an article out of a user comment on one of his previous posts!! Good work!
Not the first time a writer at this site has done that.
…bleeding eyes…
“As great as Android phones are getting,…”
“Getting” cannot be substituted for “becoming.” “Get” is like “receive;” one can get a cold but one becomes sick….
Sad to say but this and other grammatical errors in this piece stopped me reading the whole thing.
Giv me a brake!
Ouch!!! It’s gonna be a battle between Apple & Google.
cccccombo breaker
For it do be a gentleman’s agreement, don’t the parties need to be gentlemen? Call it an agreement among cutthroats and it would be closer to the mark. As for myself, I say all parties should get all that’s coming to them.
Echoing someone else here: pass the popcorn!
So who do you guys see emerging to take on the likes of Google and Apple? I am particularly interested in LBS features that will emerge over the next year or so. Google giving away Maps for free has certainly stirred it up in the Navigation sector.
TC is pumping Android-Android-Android, but whenever I pick up a device its seem inferior to the iPhone in almost every category. Are you guys sleeping with Google?
Interesting. I switched from the iPhone to the G1. Each had its pros and cons. But overall, I immediately preferred the G1. Today, I think the Android pretty much trounces the iPhone on most fronts.
I know six people who went from the iPhone to an Android phone, and only one who subsequently switched back. Clearly some people prefer the iPhone, but not all.
What does Google gain by going outside their core business and alienating former partners like Apple?
Google appears spoiled by their success in search, and are drifting with no clear strategy or focus. Like Yahoo, they are becoming a peanut butter company, competing in everything and anything tech-related.
Someday, when the core search business matures, and they’ve alienated both suppliers and natural allies (and lost their credibility by providing content that shows up in their own search results), they will learn the strategic importance of picking a market, and sticking to it.
um let’s think about this…
What does Google gain from creating a open source OS and putting it on EVERY manufacturers phones and getting their SEARCH ENGINE/software on MILLIONS of phones?
geez, someone’s thick and i don’t mean in a “That’s what she said way!”
Adjust your Googly model..
GOOG is an Advertising company, that excels at Search
I can tell you exactly what Google gains, just by looking at myself and my wife. Before getting Android phones, she just had a Gmail account she hardly ever used linked to her BlackBerry, and I did not use a single Google service, other than search. Since getting Android phones, we both now use the full suite of Google services religiously, I have converted my personal website over to Apps for Domains, and we are both using Google Voice for all our calling.
The result, Google has significantly increased our exposure to their advertising, in a number of ways, and now has a creepy amount of information on both of us, which I’m sure they monetize in some fashion. At least in our case, Android has had exactly the effect Google intended, which is to convert us from non-customers, to avid consumers of their services.
Religious indeed. Your conversion actually appears to be to full-blown fanboy, judging from your rampant and proud Google stroking in comment after comment. Are you trying to usurp MG?
No, you misunderstand my motivation entirely. It isn’t that I love Google that much, it is that I really hate the steaming pile of illogic that creeps in to any tech journalism the instant the word Apple is mentioned. On various days I might be called a Nokia, or RIM, or Microsoft, or Palm, or Google fanboy, but the reality is I have no great love for any of those companies, and at various times have used all of their products. What drives me nuts, is how the instant Apple is mentioned, any semblance of critical thinking or rationality is eschewed in favor of mindlessly parroting the company PR.
This is the first time I have ever thought this, but, I am Scared! for Google. First, they pissof the biggest economy in the world (2nd, I know), China, now they are at odds with My hero, Steve Jobs, even if I hate apple (as I type this on my macbook pro).
In summary, Please dont burn too many bridges, Google!
No offense but I thought the exact opposite, I was so happy Google stood up for human rights and then I was so happy my Nexus One has a 1Ghz processor to 600Mhz iPhone 3GS, knockout!
That’s a semantic error, not grammar, you
moron