T-Mobile Galaxy S II update nixes search feature
updated 01:07 pm EDT, Thu August 30, 2012
Unified search removed to avoid patent injunction
The T-Mobile model of Samsung's Galaxy S II has received a software update that removes the unified search feature from the device. As was the case with the Galaxy S III, the upgrade to Android 4.0.3 takes away users' ability to search locally through their smartphones' contents, though they still retain the ability to perform web searches. The update is one in a series of similar updates across multiple carriers as Samsung modifies its phones' features in order to make sure they don't infringe on Apple patents.
Following the patent litigation defeat Samsung suffered last week, the company has been working to ensure that its devices do not feature Apple design, utility, or trade dress patents so as to avoid sales bans. Apple has already named the Galaxy S II -- along with seven other Samsung phones -- as a device for which it seeks a sales ban due to infringement.
The T-Mobile update also brings increased NFC functionality and a number of bug fixes. The NFC update brings compatibility with the ISIS mobile payment system, an NFC payment standard backed by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The loss of unified search was not listed in the update's changelog.
