Samsung Galaxy S III local search function disabled

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Ongoing patent dispute between Samsung and Apple leads to local search being switched off via software update

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone and have updated to the latest software, you'll find that the advanced local search functionality has been disabled.

Users weren't made aware of the change, which follows Apple's claim that the functionality infringed its patent on a single search interface.

Once the Galaxy S III is updated, it will no longer search contacts, apps and other on-device content through the phone's built-in Google Search app. This follows a similar move in the US.

There has been a long-running dispute between Samsung and Apple over a host of hotly contested patents used on their smartphones. Android Central revealed this latest twist in the saga.

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Andy Clough
Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.