Samsung adds Multi-Window despite threat from Google

Not the poster's fault, but the original title is ignorant at best and deliberately deceptive at worst.<p>First, Samsung did <i>exactly</i> what Google suggested to Cornerstone / CyanogenMod - make it an optional extension that apps can opt into. Here's some (unofficial) documentation about that: <a href="http://www.modaco.com/page/news/_/android/developers-add-support-for-samsung-multi-window-to-your-apps-r823" rel="nofollow">http://www.modaco.com/page/news/_/android/developers-add-sup...</a><p>Second, I have a Galaxy Note 2. Applications that support multi-window on my phone (i.e. where the application developer has opted into the feature) include: Gmail, Chrome, (Google) Maps, YouTube and (Google) talk. I'm sure all of that was done over the vociferous objections of Dianne Hackborn and the rest of the Android team.

Right now, a large number of Android sales are Samsung devices. Samsung is very profitable. [1]<p>There is a risk to Google that if there is not sufficient diversification in the Android market then Samsung can do what they want - including in an extreme scenario forking away from stock Android and creating their own lock in ecosystem to go up against Apple. (this is an extreme scenario - but I don't think its impossible)<p>Remember non-tech savvy people may just enter a store and think do I want an Apple or Samsung phone/tablet.<p>I also wonder if the real purpose of the Nexus devices are to help get other devices makers up to speed to compete with Samsung.<p>[1] <a href="http://www.asymco.com/2012/11/14/google-vs-samsung/" rel="nofollow">http://www.asymco.com/2012/11/14/google-vs-samsung/</a>

If Google had used standard Java, this would not have been an issue... They should implement floating windows ASAP.