Today was supposed to be the day that Samsung and Google would have unveiled the Nexus Prime and the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. However, the unfortunate news that unfolded last week with the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs caused many to reflect. The event was postponed because “both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product”. Even a Google exec stated that “We believe this is not the right time to announce a new product as the world expresses tribute to Steve Jobs’s passing”.
The decision, while incredibly thoughtful and respectable, according to one analyst isn’t the real reason. Famed industry insider Eldar Murtazin, who has a mixed track record on rumours (see here and here), tweeted that the delay is actually due to patents: “Nexus Prime and Android 4.0 are under question. Google removing some features which are subject of patent war. No timeline for this job”.
We could kind of understand if the Nexus Prime was delayed over a patent war with Apple – mainly because it’s a handset, but it’s a far stretch. The two companies have been batting it out for months and Apple started the ordeal by suing Samsung for copying their “technology, user interface and innovative style”. However, going after Google’s Android OS is a completely different game and Murazin strongly hinted that Android 4.0 is “under question” and that Google is removing some features “which are subject of patent war”. Perhaps it’s not Apple causing the delay, but another manufacturer.
Hopefully this rumour is far from the truth and the Nexus Prime and ICS are officially released soon.
What do you think?
Source: Twitter
Via: Phone Arena & Pocket Now
