Motorola MILESTONE does what DROIDon't
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Nov 2nd 2009 7:14PM
posted Nov 2nd 2009 7:14PM
Nor is Google's:"We work very closely with our carriers and partners to deliver differentiated consumer experiences on our mobile devices. At times, similar devices come to market with different features, depending on the region, carrier preferences and consumer needs."
So let the speculation -- and the firmware hacking -- begin."The Android 2.0 framework includes support for multi-touch. As with other platform technologies, such as the text-to-speech engine, carriers and OEMs can choose to implement it."
[Image via mobile-review]
Why would Apple be responsible for it? There are already other phones in the US that have multitouch.
Because of Google and Apple's 'special' relationship. Though they have had a few tiffs lately.
That still makes no sense. You can't just selectively assert trademark/patent rights over one company and not another because you don't like them very much. Either they own a patent on the whole technology, in which case they would have applied it to phones like the Pre as well, or they don't, in which case they don't have the power to do anything against Android.
This is the biggest non-issue for me.
With the exception of viewing large photos (very rare), double-tap to zoom is ALWAYS more efficient for me. You don't have to hold the phone with 2 hands to do it, and (at least in Safari) it always zooms to the optimal size, when viewing text bodies, pictures, etc.
Until multi-touch is used beyond this functionality, i could seriously give two shits about it. Just sayin'
^^^^
agreed multi touch is nothing more than a flashy gimmick double tap is more efficient cause it allows you to do stuff with one hand.
@andy
yes, thats exactly how you loose your trademark, it must be defended rigorously and in every instance.
On the subject of multi-touch, if this article is correct: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi_touch apple only owns the trademark to the TERM "Multi-touch" as opposed to the technology.
You can EASILY use ONE hand to zoom as I do on my phone all the time. Try it.
I like gestures... like one where you circle clockwise/counter-cw for scalable zoom in/out like a virtual scroll wheel
Android 2.0 supports gestures, too
Multi-touch falls firmly in the "cool" category. Can't be located anywhere near the "useful" category. Only time I use it is to show others what it's like, I much prefer double tapping to zoom.
Back in the day, when I went in to the Apple store and was playing with the 1st or 2nd gen iPhone, I didn't even know about the pinch input.
When I was browsing the internet I was double tapping it to zoom in. It was only when I asked about zooming out (after having zoomed in several times on one site) that my friend told me about the pinching method.
...
-- AppleDoesn't have more than a few hundred really useful apps
-- AppleDoesn't have a real keyboard
-- AppleDoesn't have an explorer like File Manager
-- AppleDoesn't have a variety of hardware configurations
-- AppleDoesn't have an OS that has been updated in 3 years
-- AppleDoesn't have more than a few games that are worth playing
See how easy that is?
DroidDoesn't have 100,000+ Apps - It runs Android. The app count will be up there in no time, and honestly, do you need 100,000 apps?
DroidDoesn't have an excellent Virtual Keyboard - Actually the virtual keyboard does quite well, and the physical keyboard, though slightly squished (and I think it could've used a longer spacebar) is a nice addition to have.
DroidDoesn't have a File Manager - It has an easy to understand user interface, and files can likely easily be managed on Windows (maybe Mac too?) though we will have to see once the device releases stateside on Friday.
DroidDoesn't have Solid hardware - The hardware looks pretty solid to me, and the one I tried down at the Verizon store in preparation for launch was definitely responsive.
DroidDoesn't have what seems to be the best mobile OS - Android easily competes with iPhone OS and probably with WebOS (which I have not tried yet). What things will come down to there is really whether a person wants to say they have an iPhone or a Droid.
DroidDoesn't have the number one spot of best phones on CNET, PCMAG, etc. - It's not even out yet and it is already being heralded as a killer phone, claiming abilities that the iPhone does not have, as well as a solid and updateable build free of charge.
DroidDoesn't have sexy hardware - Looks sexy to me.
DroidDoesn't have 3D games over 100 MB - It will. It is definitely an OS to take advantage of that kind of nature, and the hardware is there.
DroidDoesn't have augmented reality apps - If I recall correctly, it does.
DroidDoesn't have 45+ million users - Droid isn't out yet. And it does have the Verizon network, which provides more complete coverage.
DroidDoesn't have a great web browser - Yes, it does.
DroidDoesn't have onboard memory - It does come with a good sized memory card, and expandable memory, which the iPhone lacks.
DroidDoesn't have support for apps that exceed its minimalistic ROM memory - I am unaware as to this and cannot effectively respond.
DroidDoesn't have iTunes - Um... that's a plus? iTunes is not exactly the be-all end-all of music interfaces. It's kinda... meh.
@ Andy
Well the arguement is that Apple either requested that android not have multi touch or that Google didn't include it as a favor to apple because of their close business relationship.
We already know that Apple doesn't like others using multitouch from the pre so the logic is that to appease Apple Google washes its hands of the issue and leaves it to manufactures such as HTC to activate the feature.
This is a total conspiracy theory though that I'm not sure I buy.
You guys are forgetting that multi-touch is not only for zooming. Many apps require multiple fingers to trigger more advanced functions.
Europe wins again!! Ha!
Droid doesn't have augmented reality apps? Android was the FIRST platform to have such an app, with an iphone version following after a few months.
The most important function of multi touch is on the soft-keyboard. Without multi-touch you can only press one key at a time, this slows you down considerably. Pinch-zoom is simply icing, and doesn't even mattered if the keyboard is not multi-touch optimized.
DroidDoesn't have an excellent Virtual Keyboard
...and neither does Apple.
DroidDoesn't have a File Manager
...and neither does Apple.
DroidDoesn't have Solid hardware
...and neither does Apple.
DroidDoesn't have what seems to be the best mobile OS
...and neither does Apple.
DroidDoesn't have sexy hardware
...and neither does Apple.
DroidDoesn't have augemented reality apps
...yes it does
DroidDoesn't have a great web browser
...and neither does Apple.
DroidDoesn't have support for apps that exceed its minimalistic ROM memory
...and neither does Apple.
Haha Hilarious! Future is definitely bright for Android.. But I don't see Motorola anywhere in it!
except for like, you know: DROID.
also, this is an Apple/Google tiff isn't it? not with Moto
Droid will fail... nobody will embrace the crappy keyboard just like they didn't with G1 (where is that phone now?)
Enter Droid Tablet
@Bralk
Good point. it will probably come with multitouch and be smaller since it doesn't have a physical keyboard. It just might be worth the wait. Although, I believe the camera on it won't have a flash.
Dang all this talk about the apple tablet I hadn't even thought about droid tablets... But wow that'll be an interesting competition now.
agreed...theyve made a bold statement with their most the slew of android devices right now but i dont think they have the stability to keep it going. however...i am actually quite intriqued by the countless htc being broadcasted here in the states! really didnt expect to see that...
Go Samsung beat the sh*it out of Motorola
My Pre does it all so, until I see something better, (nothing so far) I'll keep my Palm Pre and stay very happy with it.
The is still missing native hardware SDK access, and the programs available to it are quite lacking, especially in the game department.
Otherwise, im happy with mine. And, the browser is still better on the Pre than on Android. But i'm still drawn to Android for some reason. Maybe when the X3 comes out ill be more willing to switch.
Why would apple keep try to block multitouch on this device and not the Hero, or HD2. Did moto just not want to pay licensing fees?
Apple does not own multitouch. as much as i hate Apple and would love for it to be true that they blocked it on the DROID i really have a hard time believing they did.
"We work very closely with our carriers and partners to deliver differentiated consumer experiences on our mobile devices. At times, similar devices come to market with different features, depending on the region, carrier preferences and consumer needs."
Well they're certainly beating around the bush about something. Either Apple or Verizon, perhaps thinking they'd be sued, likely did request this feature to be removed.
But there is no reason for Apple to make such a request, and even less reason for Motorola to comply with it if they did. Clearly Apple can't sue anybody over the use of multitouch, or they would already have sued Palm.
If anyone other than Motorola is responsible, it's Verizon, gimping their handsets yet again.
I've been enjoying pinch to zoom on my G1 for ages now, this will be on the droid in a split second...provided that heres a way to root.
Probably won't even need root this time around, since 2.0 supports it already anyway. Hopefully we'll just need patched programs.
-Taylor
Yeah, it doesn't make any sense why we don't have it. The Google/Apple relationship has been severed. Apple can trademark the term "multitouch," but I don't wee how they can patent the actual idea of a multiple touch interface. Hell, it's actually been around since before the iPhone had it.
When you read up on multitouch, you'll see that Apple went to great lengths to protect it for themselves. They went as far as "buying" the professors from the university where the technology was developed (and patented), and I'm sure Apple pays them a healthy yearly sum for the rights to use it, as well as the rights to sue others who borrow it.
so explain the pre? how did they get away with multitouch? apple cant do anything about other devices using it
Something tells me Palm has some patents of their own that are keeping them quite safe from Apple's potential attacks.
It is interesting why Apple isnt going after HTC though. I guess it takes some time to get a patent lawsuit ready, so there may still be time.
hacked in 3...2...1...
Personally I would never use 2 fingers on a cell phone touch screen. So the point really to me is moot.
I am constantly using both hands/thumbs on my G1 with the physical QWERTY... slide the screen down and I am in perfect position to use multitouch functions... using some applications in landscape, especially browser, is great!
**gasp**
you are so not "in".
off with this man's head!
Translation: "Verizon wants to charge for it"
$3.99/month
Mulit-touch? There's a hidden fee for that.
I would definitely pay for mullet-touch!
Awesome headline.
As soon as I get this phone I will either hack it to run sense ui 2.0 version or I will get a cyanogen 2.0 build when it comes out or I will get the GSM version firmware
I love how if the US is lucky enough to get a decent phone launched in the first place, they inevitably make it inferior in some way. I hope it doesn't end up like the whole Touch Pro/Diamond processor/memory difference.
I would go with option B.
Sense UI just wouldn't feel right on this.