Samsung Removes Key Feature In 'Stability Update' Over Patent Dispute

Samsung Removes Key Feature In 'Stability Update' Over Patent Dispute

Samsung has removed a key feature of its Galaxy S3 smartphone as part of a long-running patent dispute with Apple.

The Korean company killed its 'all device search' function - which allows users to search contacts, apps and other data simultaneously via Google Search.

The switch came as part of an 'update', but users were not told the functionality would be removed.

The release was listed as a 'stability' update. Samsung did not list any other specific changes.

It said: "Marking this solely as a "stability" update seems a little underhanded, as users aren't being informed that the latest OTA disables functionality which was included with their original purchase".

The update only affected the international version of the phone, but a similar move was recently made in the US.

Apple argues that the all-device search interface used in its iOS devices and its Siri app is covered by a patent.

The removal of the search function comes after Apple managed to enforce a ban on the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus, and yesterday won a ruling to stop the sale of the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab.

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