July 26, 2012 By

Samsung to reinstate universal search function on international Galaxy S3

Removal of search feature was not intentional

Samsung has confirmed that it inadvertently removed the universal search function from the Samsung Galaxy S3 and that the move was not related to its on going dispute with Apple, as had been assumed by some. So for any of our international customers, if you have lost the universal search feature, you should get it back shortly.

The recently released “stability update” removed the universal search feature, which enables users to search across several channels, including web, contacts, apps and other specified mediums. The fix is due to be made available imminently.

However, while the removal of universal search is not patent related for the International version of the SGS3, it is for UK and US handsets. The feature has been removed for certain regions due to Apple’s claims that Samsung has infringed its ‘patent to a unified search interface’. This dispute is due to go to court in the US next month.

Via BBC

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About Chris Ward

Better known as 'Wardy', digital media is where his interest lies. Responsible for many elements of the Clove website and external advertising activities, Wardy is our interactive media graduate.

Always chilled out, there is never a time when you see 'Wardy' stressed. A keen music follower, he knows his DJ's and how to mix a few tracks together. Always eating, he remains stick thin and is the envy of the rest of us! A very deep character, there are some suprising twists to what Wardy knows and you'll never meet a nicer bloke if you tried!

Comments

  1. Ian says:
    July 26, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Good news, though it’s pretty easy to circumvent for rooted folk. :-) A bit annoying to flash another firmware just to get it back, though

    Small note on interpretation – you say above “However, while the removal of universal search is not patent related for the International version of the SGS3, it is for UK and US handsets.”, suggesting that UK and US versions of the S3 won’t get back Universal Search because of litigation, but the BBC source seems to indicate that only US models will have it removed, which would make more sense unless there’s a similar UK court case in progress. viz. “It appears the firm meant only to prevent some US models from being able to use a Google-powered search tool to show information sourced from within the phone’s memory in its results.”

  2. Hikari0307 says:
    July 27, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Yup, just received an update just now. XXLG8, just a small 5.8mb OTA update, seems to have restored unified search on my S3.