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I know at least for mobile phones multi-user support is patent encumbered thanks to Nokia [1]. Maybe similar situation to how Apple wants to do it on iPad? They

I know at least for mobile phones multi-user support is patent encumbered thanks to Nokia [1]. Maybe similar situation to how Apple wants to do it on iPad? They do have multi-user support for education only on iPad. 1: https://mspoweruser.com/nokias-patent-restricts-android-multiple-user-account-switching-to-tablets/ https://mspoweruser.com/nokias-patent-restricts-android-mult... EDIT: Bottom of article says Apple pays royalties to Nokia to use the patent so maybe they only want to do it for education to keep costs low?

cmeacham98 4y ago
That article is ancient. Current versions of Android support multiple users on phones as well (and have for several years).
- Aachen 4y ago
  But did the patent expire or did manufacturers just pay royalties or hope Nokia doesn't enforce?
  - cmeacham98 4y ago
    The patent linked in the article was never even granted, it's been abandoned since 2009 (3 years before the article was even written). I suspect the author entirely made up the "patent issue" to write this blogspam-like garbage, and that Google's decision to initially restrict the feature to tablets had nothing to do with patents.
    - robbiet480 4y ago
      The article I linked sourced from TechCrunch at https://techcrunch.com/2012/10/29/why-android-jelly-bean-4-2s-multiple-user-account-switching-is-tablet-only-hint-nokia-patented-it-for-phones/ https://techcrunch.com/2012/10/29/why-android-jelly-bean-4-2...
      - cmeacham98 4y ago
        Then the TechCrunch author likely made it up (or wherever they got it from). This patent was never valid at any point in time, and had been abandoned for 3 years when the article was posted. This idea that google limited the feature because of patent concerns is pure fantasy.