Nexus Prime Release: Did Patent Fears Make Samsung, Google Delay?

When Samsung and Google last week decided to delay releasing the Galaxy Nexus Prime smartphone and the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich system, they said it was out of respect for Steve Jobs.

Under the current circumstances, both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product, the two companies stated. We would ask for the understanding of our clients and media for any inconvenience caused. We will announce a new date and venue in due course.

But Jobs' death may not have been the real reason.

Industry insider Eldar Murtazin left a post on his Twitter page Tuesday that suggests that both Samsung and Google might be having patent problems.

Nexus Prime and Android 4.0 are under question, Murtazin wrote. Google removing some features which are subject of patent war. No timeline for this job.

The information in Murtazin's post is unconfirmed at the moment.

In September, Samsung accused Apple of patent infringement in Australia over the iPhone and iPad 2. It is the latest in a growing dispute between the two companies over smartphone technologies. The two firms also have legal battles in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

The South Korean company has admitted to filing a suit against Apple in France for patent infringement, alleging that the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's iPhone and iPad devices infringe on three Samsung-owned patents.

Apple has said Samsung slavishly copied the iPad and iPhone. It won a court ruling in Germany to ban the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab in that country.

Samsung is appealing the German court's decision to ban the sale of its Galaxy Tab in Germany.

Also Read : Galaxy Nexus Gets Android 4.0: What Other Devices Will Get the Update?