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Samsung, Google accused of lying about Galaxy Nexus delay; patents said to be real reason

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 7:31PM EST
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Samsung and Google announced last week that the companies were postponing the unveiling of Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” and the Galaxy Nexus smartphone out of respect for Steve Jobs’s passing. Samsung said that it was canceling its “Unpacked” press conference, during which the company was expected to unveil the Galaxy Nexus. “Samsung and Google have decided to postpone the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event during the CTIA in San Diego, previously scheduled for Oct. 11,” the company said in a statement at the time. “Under the current circumstances, both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product.” Samsung’s comments alluded to Steve Jobs’s passing as the cause for postponing the event, and the company would later confirm this to reporters. According to industry insider Eldar Murtazin, however, Samsung and Google’s motives were not quite as noble. Read on for more.

“Nexus Prime and Android 4.0 are under question,” Murtazin posted on his Twitter account Tuesday morning. “Google removing some features which are subject of patent war. No timeline for this job.” The plugged-in Russian blogger has a solid track record with inside information. This accusation is serious, however, and we should note that it is not confirmed. To think that Samsung and Google might have tried to appease clients, the media and consumers by disingenuously citing Jobs’s passing is disheartening at best. Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Samsung is among several Android device vendors that have been locked in an ongoing patent battle with Apple since last year.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.