Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone was banned from sale in the US earlier this week. The device was removed from Google’s Play Store, and Google noted on their store that the handset would launch next week with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
Now Google has confirmed that the reason the Galaxy Nexus was removed from sale is because of the lawsuit between Apple and Samsung. Google confirmed this to ABC News.
Google also told ABC News that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus would be available next week as we had heard previously. The device will come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and we presume Google and Samsung will have made enough modifications to the device to ensure it doesn’t infringe on the Apple patents in the ongoing lawsuit.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit between Apple and Samsung has been a significant legal battle, with Apple alleging that Samsung infringed on several of its patents. These patents cover various aspects of smartphone technology, including user interface elements and design features. The Galaxy Nexus was specifically targeted because it was seen as a direct competitor to Apple’s iPhone, and Apple claimed that it copied several key features.
The ban on the Galaxy Nexus was a preliminary injunction, meaning it was a temporary measure while the court case was ongoing. Such injunctions are granted when the court believes there is a strong likelihood that the plaintiff (in this case, Apple) will win the case and that they would suffer irreparable harm if the alleged infringement continued.
Modifications and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
It isn’t clear as yet exactly what modifications will be made to the device, whether the installation of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is enough or whether additional modifications have been made to Android on the device. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean introduced several new features and improvements over its predecessor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. These included a smoother user interface, enhanced notifications, and Google Now, a feature that provides personalized information based on the user’s habits and preferences.
One possible modification could be changes to the search functionality, as one of the patents in question related to unified search. Unified search allows users to search across multiple sources, such as the web, apps, and local content, from a single search bar. Apple claimed that this feature infringed on its patents, so Google may have had to alter or remove it to comply with the court’s ruling.
Another potential area of modification could be the design and layout of the user interface. Apple has been very protective of its design patents, and the look and feel of the Galaxy Nexus may have been deemed too similar to that of the iPhone. Google and Samsung may have had to make changes to the icons, menus, and overall aesthetic to differentiate it sufficiently from Apple’s products.
The outcome of this case could have broader implications for the smartphone industry. If Apple is successful in its claims, it could set a precedent that makes it more difficult for other manufacturers to create devices that compete directly with the iPhone. On the other hand, if Samsung and Google can successfully defend their position, it could encourage more innovation and competition in the market.
Source Techmeme
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