Did Apple Ask Google to Omit Multi-Touch from Android?

We already know that multi-touch on Android is certainly possible, based on this proof-of-concept project I wrote about earlier. So why omit it (there's the obvious possible lawsuit, but besides that)?

Well, according to VentureBeat, an Android team member told them that Apple requested (nicely, I imagine) that multi-touch be left out of the platform, and Google agreed to it.

It's actually been one of the major criticisms of the T-Mobile G1, the lack of multi-touch that is. In reviews, many point that out and say that Android comes up short because of it (an example is this C|Net review).

According to VentureBeat:

Further, the Android team member went on to say that they were relieved that Google didn’t go against Apple’s wishes, given the legal storm that appears to be brewing between Apple and Palm, which is using multi-touch technology in its new Pre phone. Even if Apple ultimately decides not to pursue legal action against Palm (it’s not yet clear how likely that is, but Apple does have an impressive array of patents), the situation has likely soured the relationship between the two companies. Google, it seems, wants no part in ruining its relationship with Apple.

When discussing multi-touch and IP in Apple's recent fiscal Q1 conference call, Tim Cook, COO of Apple, said:

I don't want to talk about any specific company. I'm just making a general statement that we think competition is good. It makes us all better. And we are ready to suit up and go against anyone. However, we will not stand for having our IP ripped off, and we'll use whatever weapons that we have at our disposal. I don't know that I can be clearer than that.

Yeah, that's pretty clear, although what's still unclear is if Apple will follow through on its threat. On the other hand, enGadget has pointed out that Apple might actually be infringing on some of Palm's patents as well. So perhaps they could come to some sort of "mutual understanding?"

Oh wait, the lawyers don't get paid that way.

Watch the proof-of-concept multi-touch Android hack below: