Slashdot Mirror


Nexus One Update Fixes 3G, Adds Multitouch

snydeq writes "Google is pushing out an update for the Nexus One that will fix a 3G connectivity problem and add limited support for multitouch. After receiving over 1,500 messages in a support forum from people complaining about trouble connecting to 3G, Google said it has identified the problem and has started delivering the fix. In addition to fixing 3G, the update adds the first applications to support multitouch. While the recent versions of the Android OS include multitouch capability, no phone in the US has supported it."

7 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Come on Google by goldaryn · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm still waiting for the port of IE6..

  2. Re:multitouch and Apple by tacroy · · Score: 5, Informative

    Mainly because Apple is violating tons of Palms patents and they don't want to wake that (IP) giant. http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/28/apple-vs-palm-the-in-depth-analysis/

  3. Re:3G by geekoid · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I worked at a place that had an automated system that sent out an email when the email went down.
    I shit you not. They paid 50K for that system.
    When the email system ent down, as they alld o from time to time, the executive called me out on the rug in front of his peers and asked me:

    "Why shouldn't I fire you for the system alert failure?"
    To which I said:
    "You were the person that bought a system to alert us via email when the email system failed. Maybe you should be fired?"
    Later he came to my office and fired me. After he smugly said I was fired, I asked him to wait a minute. I picked up the phone, made one phone call, and had a new job. I got up, took my check and left. Everyone else in the office was just laughing.
    I later heard that the executive was released to look into other opportunities.

    1999 was a good year.
    Crazy days

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  4. Summary is Wrong About Multitouch by MBoffin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No surprise, but the summary is wrong. True, there has been multitouch capability in recent versions of Android, but not true that no phones in the US support it. Even my HTC Hero (running Android 1.5) has multitouch built into the basic system apps like the browser and the gallery. Additionally there are apps on the marketplace that make use of multitouch, such as the Dolphin browser.

    The summary should indicate that no other phones have previously had multitouch built into the system apps that Google ships with the stock OS.

  5. Re:multitouch and Apple by unix1 · · Score: 5, Informative

    That's because they know they'll lose.

    Here's Apple's "multi-touch" patent.
    Date filed: July 3, 2006

    Here's Jeff Han demonstrating multi-touch interface in Feb. 2006 that he had been working on. Pinch and zoom? Gestures? Multiple fingers/hands? It's all there. You can tell he didn't come up with that overnight.

    Looks like someone at Apple noticed his or similar technology/research and said - hey, this hasn't been patented yet!

    Give props to the USPTO and the patent system, as usual.

  6. Re:3G Fix? by CaptKeen · · Score: 5, Informative

    It does make me wonder if it would just be cost prohibitively expensive to put in a radio that supports ALL used frequency band ranges. That way, you have a phone that will truly work on any network, with any provider, without having to buy a new handset.

    I've heard rumor of a Qualcomm chip due out this summer that is supposed to support GSM, HSPA, HSPA+ and some CDMA stuff. A quick google turned up the following:

    Qualcomm today updated its MDM family of cellular chipsets with some of the first anywhere to support dual, advanced 3G and 4G formats. The MSM7630 supports GSM, HSPA and HSPA+ standards but will also work on CDMA phone networks and support up to EVDO Revision B for 3G on those services. The addition would let a phone work on a CDMA carrier like Sprint or Verizon but still work with AT&T or T-Mobile and roam at speeds of up to 21Mbps on networks from Rogers, other international carriers, and eventually T-Mobile USA.

    From http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/12/possible.verizon.iphone.candidates/

    --
    --
  7. Re:multitouch and Apple by Meski · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're using this gesture, in response to Apple patents. http://media.photobucket.com/image/middle%20finger/munbk/middle_finger.jpg?o=1