Unlocking multitouch for Droid and Nexus One

posted Jan 25th 2010 2:00pm by
filed under: android hacks, multitouch hacks

We’re fans of pinch-zooming and that means multitouch. Although the interface is natively supported by both the hardware and operating systems of the Nexus One and Droid phones, it is locked out of the stock installation. You can make multitouch work on both handsets if you’re willing to do a little firmware alteration.

The coding has already been done for you, it’s a matter of loading a custom kernel. Both the Nexus One and the Droid have been rooted, and that’s what you’ll need to do to unlock multitouch with new firmware. In addition to gaining full access to the device OS, you’ll need to load up some different apps that support pinch zooming, etc. Luckily, these are readily available and you may like them better than the stock browser, maps, and photo applications.



23 Responses to Unlocking multitouch for Droid and Nexus One

  • hum4n says:
    January 25, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    is this really worth it?

    I have been waiting patiently for 2.1 for my Droid, and will this just make me have to do the multitouch process again when that comes out?

    Reply Report comment
  • MrChips says:
    January 25, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    Um, if all you want is pinch-to-zoom in your browser, you just need to download the Dolphin Browser from the marketplace. No muss, no fuss, and whaddaya know, “Pinch to zoom” is included free of charge! (It’s also a lot better browser than the default one that comes with either unit)…

    Reply Report comment
  • benji says:
    January 25, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    @hum4n

    yes

    Reply Report comment
  • benji says:
    January 25, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    @MrChips

    have you tried the new Dolphin update? it went from a great app to a horribly slow and ad filled app. was a long time dolphin user, now back to stock. actually the milestone multitouch browser

    Reply Report comment
  • groogs says:
    January 25, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Why is this disabled by default? Isn’t it one of the fancy new features these phones have over your run-of-the-mill touch-screen phone?

    Reply Report comment
  • MS3FGX says:
    January 25, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    Nobody is really 100% sure, but popular theory is that Apple has some sort of rights to multitouch phone UIs in the US, which would explain why the international version of the Droid (Milestone) has multitouch in its stock apps, and Droid doesn’t.

    Personally, I haven’t found multitouch very useful on any phone, and consider it more of a gimmick. These new smartphones have a lot more going for them than pinch to zoom.

    Reply Report comment
  • lenny says:
    January 25, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    Soooo glad I didn’t update dolphin… I saw the comments saying it runs slow so I’ve been avoiding the update… guess I’m stuck at this version for a while…

    How can it be “locked” when apps can use it without this hack?

    Reply Report comment
  • kyle says:
    January 25, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    Don’t mess with some goof’s “unlock”! The multitouch is built in and software makers just need to write for the function.

    On the CES podcast of TWIT, Leo LaPorte says he brought up the issue up to a Google engineer and reps. Google said it is a software design issue and it is up to the developers to start rewriting old or write new programs to use multitouch features. That is why people are posting about Dolphin – it is written to use multitouch – it is not a system upgrade.

    Please listen to the podcast for clarification or at least try multitouch software before you brick or otherwise mess up your phone.

    Help stop the Apple Fan Boy FUD! Spread the word.

    Disclaimer: None. I’m a TWIT podcast fan and do not own a Google phone.

    Reply Report comment
  • 2fast4u says:
    January 25, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Has anyone actually tried this? They say there is a “slight” chance of bricking your phone? how likely is that?

    Reply Report comment
  • octel says:
    January 25, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    What other Android phones support multitouch? Where can this information be found?

    I’m specifically wondering about the Motorla CLIQ/DEXT

    Reply Report comment
  • Jess says:
    January 25, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    My Droid, bought in Europe, has no carrier lock and multi-touch is enabled by default. The feature is only deactivated in phones purchased in the United States (presumably with AT&T as carrier).

    Just thought I’d throw that in here.

    Reply Report comment
  • 277480 says:
    January 26, 2010 at 2:02 am

    2fast- It is pretty damn near impossible, provided you have all the appropriate files on the sd card, to brick one of these android phones. I’ve tried.

    Reply Report comment
  • Mikey says:
    January 26, 2010 at 3:16 am

    I own a Droid, I bought it in the US, I have verizon. Information I know (accuracy not guaranteed):
    + Verizon is the only carrier in the US.
    + Multi-touch is NOT locked. The stock apps just don’t use it as this is the first multi-touch android phone.
    + It’s the only android phone from Motorola.
    + I was told the Nexus one did not have multi-touch, but it could be that it’s just locked. I was under the impression the ONLY multi-touch android phone was the Droid.

    Reply Report comment
  • octel says:
    January 26, 2010 at 5:20 am

    @Mikey
    “+ It’s the only android phone from Motorola.”

    You forget the Motorola DEXT (aka CLIQ in the USA)

    Reply Report comment
  • Mr_Bishop says:
    January 26, 2010 at 9:05 am

    im still trying to figure out why the G1 has support for multi touch but you gotta use a custom rom for it. i think the same is for the myTouch isnt it? i mean honestly whats up with that?

    Reply Report comment
  • Mikey says:
    January 26, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    @octel thanks for the correction!

    Reply Report comment
  • Gomibushi says:
    February 3, 2010 at 2:06 am

    Doesn’t sem to be much point in this any more!

    http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/nexus-one-gets-a-software-update-enables-multitouch/?s=t5

    Reply Report comment
  • Zom-B says:
    February 3, 2010 at 4:40 am

    The HTC Dream also has hardware multitouch support, but I don’t know about the firmware.

    You can verify it by moving two fingers over the screen. It will always focus on the earliest finger that is still present. If you remove that finger it immediately locks on the remaining finger instead. It gets confused with three fingers though and acts random and erratic.

    Reply Report comment
  • kevin mcguigan says:
    February 8, 2010 at 8:41 am

    could someone please help me find a touch screen kit for a 17 inch monitor. email me if you know.

    Reply Report comment
  • Mr_Bishop says:
    February 8, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    @ kevin mcguigan
    A simple google search can do the trick ;)
    http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=17+inch+touch+kit

    Unless you had something more specific in mind.

    Reply Report comment
  • Steve says:
    May 3, 2010 at 9:50 am

    Hmmm, my Motorola Droid, on Verizon has multitouch enabled by default. It works in Google Maps, image gallery, web browser, Google Earth, and probably a bunch of other stuff too…

    Reply Report comment
  • Greg says:
    July 1, 2010 at 9:46 am

    I am purching a Droid cell phone. I will be using it out of the country and will need to know what I will need to do so that it can accept another countries phone service. Does the Droid have a sim chip like most cell phones and can I unlock the droid?
    Any help would be great
    Thanks
    Greg

    Reply Report comment

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