Google’s Nexus One Android-based smartphone has officially received multitouch support today as part of a significant over-the-air software update.
In addition to multitouch support — absent from the software on popular Android phones such as the Droid, Hero and Cliq, but possible nonetheless — the Nexus One receives Google Goggles, a visual search app that uses the phone’s camera to identify things, as well as suggestions and night mode for Google Maps.
Multitouch support is now available in the browser, image gallery and maps, bringing the Android phone more in line with the Apple iPhone and Palm Pre. (Until now, Apple intellectual property was said to be the hurdle facing Google.)
Google insists that it was waiting for Android 2.1 to address users’ requests for the feature, allowing for devices with bigger displays and faster processors before turning on pinch-to-zoom capability, said a Google spokesman to ReadWriteWeb.
Finally, the firmware update includes 3G improvements that address issues reported by users.
ZDNet’s own Smartphones & Cell Phones blogger Matthew Miller downloaded the update and said the new multitouch capabilities brings him back into the fold after using the Dolphin browser.
For the full list of updates, see Google’s Nexus One announcement.
Want to learn more about Google Goggles? Here’s a video:
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