Google Inc. (GOOG) hit a double, not a homerun, with its Nexus One handset in the eyes of mobile geeks and software developers. One of the chief complaints is that the Android-based device lacks the cool multitouch (i.e., “pinch and zoom”) capabilities that are among the chief wow-producing features of the iPhone.
Google mobile and wireless chief Andy Rubin responded to questions about the smartphone’s lack of multitouch by essentially saying “Ahh, who needs it?”
The answer, apparently, is “Plenty of users,” and they can now get it thanks to an independent developer named Steve Kondik, who uses the moniker Cyanogen, and is active on the XDA-developers forum. Kondik’s hack is specifically designed for the Nexus One browser, but it’s sure to be adapted rapidly to other visual apps on the Google phone.
Providing fairly simple code (originally written by fellow codehound Luke Hutchison) for the pinch-zoom add, Kondik helpfully added, “WARNING: You will initially lose your bookmarks and browser settings by doing this.” You will also, of course, void your device’s warranty. But who cares?
