Google Nexus One gets multitouch

 

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By Gareth Steward

Posted on 4 Feb 2010 at 15:28

Google has released an update that brings multitouch to its Nexus One smartphone.

The new “pinch to zoom” feature allows users to zoom in or out of applications by pinching their fingers together, in a similar fashion to the iPhone. Multitouch currently works with the Nexus One's web browser, gallery and maps applications.

The update includes multiple bug fixes, and aims to increase 3G connectivity in response to reports of poor coverage in many areas of the US.

An application named “Google Goggles” is also included, which identifies landmarks filmed through the phone’s camera while providing real-time information.

Previously, multitouch could only be enabled by downloading a modified version of the Android 2.1 operating system, released in January by an Android community hacker named Cyanogen. The modification allowed multitouch support in the native web browser only, although Cyanogen had planned to extend the capability to other applications at a later date.

Google is making the update available to customers within the next week as an over-the-air update.