Some of you may be getting sick of seeing the same Android news over and over again while hoping for something new. Sadly this post is just another story with a different look. Multi-touch has been demonstrated on the T-Mobile G1 before, but here we go again.
Back in November we reported on a video made by RyeBrye that showed that two separate finger presses could be recorded on the G1 if the kernel was recompiled with the functionality put back in. Now we have another video created by Sir Luke Hutch. He claims to provide this demo on a stock G1 and will release instructions for developers who would like to incorporate it into their applications.
He modified just one system class in the Java-based user interface stack. From what we can see this appears to work perfectly. So does this mean we will be seeing multi-touch in Android applications in the near future? Got 6 minutes? Take a look at this video and tell us what you think.
[Via YouTube]








the reason we do not have the various multi touch functions the iphone has is because of patents they own for the "gestures". Not because our phone can not do it.
In fact, iirc, the touch screen in our phone is identical to the iphones, in fact made by the same company.....
So this is going to bring into question if the developers will be able to use these gestures without paying mac for the patent use.....
I cant believe I'm seeing pinch-zoom working perfectly on a stock G1.. this is AWESOME.. man i hope some devs start incorporating this into some apps!
I have been DYING for pinch zoom in a browser...
Great work!
GREAT
WORK!
the reason we do not have the various multi touch functions the iphone has is because of patents they own for the "gestures". Not because our phone can not do it.
In fact, iirc, the touch screen in our phone is identical to the iphones, in fact made by the same company.....
So this is going to bring into question if the developers will be able to use these gestures without paying mac for the patent use.....
Doesn't the Pre have multi-touch with pinch to zoom? Or am I mistaken?
In that, the 'cross-over' issue doesn't matter when using the zoom functions?
Given the built-in compass, rotation (on maps) shouldn't be an issue, as simply holding the G1 flat and in the direction you facing should allow the map to automatically rotate using the compass... can't wait!
Good job Luke!
I hope to see this integrated very soon...looks exciting.
http://industry.bnet.com/technology/...-or-challenge/