We had anecdotal evidence yesterday, but today it’s admitted fact: Sprint has confirmed that a software update for the Samsung Galaxy S III will disable the universal search function on the handset. “The new software update does disable the universal search function on Galaxy S III,” a representative told Phone Scoop. In other words, on a Galaxy S III device, you’ll only be able to initiate a web search from the Google search bar, not search for locally-installed apps, contacts, and the like.
Sprint confirms that Samsung Galaxy S III update removes universal search
Sprint has confirmed that a software update for the Samsung Galaxy S III will disable the universal search function on the handset.
Sprint has confirmed that a software update for the Samsung Galaxy S III will disable the universal search function on the handset.
is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.
Why nerf the feature? The move is likely directly related to the ongoing Apple v. Samsung lawsuit. Google and Samsung were working together on a software patch for the Galaxy Nexus to remove the very same feature, in order to help sidestep a US ban of that phone, and it seems that Samsung has applied the same idea to its flagship Galaxy S III to avoid lawsuits there as well. We’re still waiting to see if other OEMs will follow suit. So far, the Galaxy Nexus hasn’t received such a patch, though, even though Google just pushed out an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to GSM versions of the device.
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