It is because of Apple patents. They don’t want to deal with the lawsuit.
Pretty sure I’ve seen both Nexus and Eris units where the multi-touch is being shown in use by whoever is profiling/reviewing the device. Are these guys using Euro units to test? If so, that’d be false advertising. Seriously? Apple patented the pinch-zoom feature? Jesus Christ. I didn’t mind double-tapping to zoom on my bro’s Droid though, but I can see how PZ would be useful.
no, you didn’t see that. Not on any google-built apps on US units. Engadget might have had their hands on the EU unit at some point though.
Yes, apple patented that bitch. That is why multi-touch functionality was built into the API (so that developers could use it), but they didn’t implement it in any of the apps they built. Doesn’t that suck? Apple sued Palm the minute that bitch (Palm Pre) hit the market with multi-touch.
If you want a multi-touch browser, get Dolphin Browser. It has pinch zoom and is a tade bit faster as well.
Ok, that’s fucking gay.
If it’s implemented into the API what the fuck is that - is there a way nerds can make their own apps and enable it?
Either way I’m looking forward to the car cradle that switches the phone to gps/nav, contacts, etc etc as soon as it realizes the phone is docked.
Also - will be looking for a really good screen protector. Not a fan of those 3 packs for like $9.99. Want one that goes on, stays on, doesn’t trap dirt/air and is not so noticeable. I do not want this thing getting scratched, even if it says the glass is scratch proof.
Edit: how well does the Dolphin browser work on the Droid? Was wanting to check out browsers that were faster or had cooler setups.
An API is what programmers use to write apps for a platform. So basically, you are right, ‘nerds’ aka app programmers can write programs that use multi-touch.
The Dolphin Browser is the only one I use, and it’s free. It’s a decent multi-touch implementation, and you can see what you’re missing out on in your other apps 
ehh, they want to make sure that A: it’s not going to harm the network or cause a poor experience for you or other users and B: they are concerned that they have done their job to provide you with a positive experience.
yeah, I get that… I don’t think consumers understand the whole “open network” thing though.
not at all. which is why unless you are in the industry, i generally dont care about what you have to say. (this is not directed to mr. boardjunky, just an overall statement…)
So basically as long as they don’t release the app on the marketplace, then they can do whatever the hell they want? How do you get Dolphin then if it uses multi-touch?
Is there a way to get apps on the Droid w/out using the app marketplace? I guess I’m referring to jailbreaking - if that’s the correct term to use? I’d love to get the full functionality out of the phone, any way possible.
I meant nerds as in, not really licensed programmers like the dudes releasing stuff for the marketplace. I used to make programs for my TI83, hahaha but I have no business making an Android app.
How would a phone hurt a network? By overloading it with data requests or something?
No, they are in marketplace.
Google is not responsible for the apps there. They are all developed by independent people/companies. That’s off the shoulders of Google. They are only giving you an easy way to get them. There is a way to get apps on a droid without the marketplace, but it’s not necessary.
Dolphin Browser is in the marketplace, just search for it
There is no such thing as a licensed programmer.
A phone wouldn’t necessarily hurt a network. The issue with the Nexxus One is that people are getting poor 3g reception with them. They are blaming T-Mobile when they should be blaming Google, the builders of the phone.
Ah ok, so in essence, the phone isn’t directly hurting the network - the customers are as a result of the phone’s poor ability to get 3G.
Soooo apps can be made with multi-touch functionality because google doesn’t assume responsibility for the apps on the MP? Why isn’t anybody doing it then?
People are doing it, hence Dolphin Browser
Not sure what others exist
Ok - thanks for the info, much appreciated and I’ll be exploring a lot more once I get the damn thing.
the droid eris does support multi-touch in its default browser, gallery and other htc apps. I’m not sure what the issue is with the nexus 1 and droid not having this, All kinds of speculation.
There are a bunch of rumors that the Eris will get at least android 2.0 but nobody knows for sure when it will happen, best guess is sometime in the next three months. I didn’t feel like waiting and I’m not sure how the Eris hardware will stand up to more advanced stuff in the future. Its already been announced that droid will be getting flash player for example plus nicer accessories and generally more attention from developers.
Android 1.5 does not do turn by turn navigation, just standard google maps directions. There are some other upgrades in 2.0 but nothing major, could also be a bit more optimized under the hood. The eris also doesn’t have the hardware capability to be put in ‘car mode’. Droid is much better overall as long as you prefer the form factor.
Went to the vzw store today, played with their droid, downloaded Dolphin - love it! Loaded fairly quickly and I enjoy the pinch-zoom. I didn’t know that the “upgrades” vzw offers on their lines can be used with any phone, not just the line it was activated on. We have two upgrades in April cuz I have 4 lines, so the wife and I will get new phones. She played with the Imagio real quick, she liked it but she’s going to use my Dare for a while before she makes a decision on whether she wants a touch phone.
:tup: to the motorola droid. i lovezzzz it.
but, and yes this is gay… facebook for iphone > facebook for android. omg it sucks.
Anyone here working for vzw know the deal behind the “Buy one Droid, get and Eris free” ad I see on tv? It says with new 2 year agreement, but does that mean you get it when you resign for another 2 years or just people new to Verizon? Would love to take advantage of this.
you need a two year contract on each phone as well as a data plan on each phone, they dont just hand you a $470 phone and expect nothing in return
rumors are circulating that droid users are getting an OTA update to 2.1 around january 22nd