Report: Google Played Ball With Apple 'No Multi-Touch' Request
According to the Monday VentureBeat report, Apple asked Google during the G1 development phase not to put multi-touch capability in place, and Google agreed to the request.
The source also opined to VentureBeat it was a wise move on Google's part given how Apple is rumored to be getting lawyers involved to decide whether the Palm Pre is violating Apple's patent for touch technology on the iPhone.
VentureBeat reminded just how cozy Google and Apple already are. For one, Google CEO Eric Schmidt is a member of Apple's board. Also, many Google products, including Google Maps, come tailored to the iPhone, and Google and Apple are alike in that they're both in Microsoft's crosshairs, too. The real question, asked VentureBeat's MG Siegler, is whether Google will be able to resist multi-touch for Android in the future given the technology's popularity.
VentureBeat's source also suggested that Intel has "a massive effort underway related to Android." It's no secret that the chip giant is a fan of the Android platform, and has been since it was first announced. VentureBeat at the end of January reported Intel was at work on a large rollout of Android notebooks, and its Android mole suggested that is still the case.