Google Nexus One Gets Multi-Touch Software Update

Now the iPhone is not the only multi-touch contender in the smartphone contest. Google has released a software update for the Nexus One Android 2.1 handset that activates all of the finger gesture goodness of multi-touch.

Google maps, photo gallery, and the web browser will all support multi-touch with the new software update. This includes pinching and zooming with all of the typical two-fingered gestures that will make the Nexus One interface that much more intuitive and smooth.

Another feature of the software update is that Google Goggles will become a default app. If you're not familiar with Google Goggles, you will be. The application allows the user to take a photo of an object or place and search the web using the image.

Not only will this update also fix 3G connectivity issues, it updates the Google Maps application to version 3.4. This means users can get search suggestions, synchronize starred items, and bring up a whole new map look with night mode for nighttime viewing.

The capacitive touch screen of the Nexus One was always capable of multi-touch, and Android 2.1 has support for the interface method. Reports have speculated that Google did not offer multi-touch in the first version of the N1 software because they didn't want to make waves with Apple, who claims a patent on the multi-touch interface.

The reversal by Google shows that the smartphone battle between Google and Apple has only just begun.