Owners of the UK version of Samsung’s Galaxy S III smartphone will have the previously-redacted universal search functionality restored “within the next few days” according to the BBC. The manufacturer-unlocked, international GT-I9300 will be the only model receiving the restoration of the capability, which was removed through a so-called “stability” update. It is unknown if any of the other countries that carry the GT-I9300 Galaxy S III will have the “unified search” capability restored.
“Unified search” allows users to search both the web and local files using the same interface. Apple claims this feature infringes one of its patents, and is the primary reason why the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is currently enjoined from sales in the US.
Samsung has already removed the functionality from US Galaxy S III phones using similar “stability upgrades,” and has chosen to do the same process in Europe — regardless of the lack of any immediate injunctions on the same patent in place in the region.
