Google wins slide-to-unlock patent as Apple battle heats up

From CNET News.com: The search giant's patent provides for a unlocking method that also lets users perform at least one command, like placing a call or opening an application.

Who would have thought a simple slide-to-unlock gesture would be so important?

Google last week was awarded a patent it filed for back in 2010 that describes a manner in which users interact with a smartphone--or PC--to unlock the device and perform at least one command. According to the patent filing, the commands can be anything from placing a phone call to opening an application.

Unlike typical unlocking mechanisms, which bring users back to the last screen they had opened before locking the device, Google's technology immediately brings users to their desired activity. Since Apple already owns a slide-to-unlock patent, it appears that the added functionality might have been Google's way of securing this patent.

Google's Android partners are under attack from Apple, which recently hurled lawsuits at Samsung over its alleged violation of the slide-to-unlock patent in its line of mobile devices.

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