February 4, 2010 | Digital Devices

The one big complaint against Google’s Nexus One cell phone was that it didn’t have multi-touch like Apple’s iPhone did.

Not anymore.

Google announced in a blog post that new software update for the Nexus One will include multi-touch.

What Is Multi-Touch?

Just a short reminder for people who don’t have iPhones or other devices with multi-touch: A touchscreen is a screen you touch to operate it. Multi-touch extends the concept by operating in a different manner if you touch the screen again when you already have your finger down in another part of the screen. For example, to zoom in on an iPhone, you use a pinching movement with your finger and thumb, bringing them closer together.

Without multi-touch, Nexus One users would double-tap to zoom in. Double-tap is fine, but it doesn’t give you control over the amount of zoom, like a mouse scroll wheel would.

Multi-touch on Android

Google says multi-touch is part of Android 2.0, and it’s up to carriers or manufacturers to update their users’ phones.

Nexus One users will receive an automatic over-the-air (OTA) update which will give them multi-touch as well as the following other features:

Google Goggles: Search for stuff close to where you are by sending Google a picture of your whereabouts.
Google Maps: Night mode for easier viewing, among other changes.
3G: Fixes 3G connectivity problems.

Google, Apple, and multi-touch

Multi-touch has been touted as one of the hallmark features of the iPhone.

Now that Google NexusOne and Android have it as well, is there anything the iPhone has that Android doesn’t?

And what will Apple do about it?

It’s rumoured that, up until now, Google hadn’t implemented multi-touch simply because it had a cordial relationship with Apple. But with the two companies coming to virtual blows over their business ventures, it seems Google doesn’t really have any reason to stay on Apple’s good side.

Also, the Palm Pre and Microsoft’s new Zune are using multi-touch so either we’re going to see the end of Apple’s multi-touch exclusivity or a lot of lawsuits.

So, is multitouch on Android enough to tip the balance against the iPhone for your next phone purchase?

Resources

Google blog post on multi-touch
http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/02/02/nexus-one-multi-touch
http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/02/02/apple-google-multi-touch-android

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