Samsung updates Galaxy S III to avoid ban: removes local search

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7 is already facing a European sales ban after a German court ruled that it did in fact closely copy the design of Apple's iPad. The South-Korean tech giant has now gone into defensive mode to ensure that its prize, flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S III does not suffer the same fate.

According to SlashGear, Samsung has pushed out a new OTA software update today for the international Galaxy S III/ Billed as a "stability" update by Samsung itself, the new software actually strips local search functionality from the Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone, just as Samsung has been doing with versions of the Galaxy S III in the US.

More from News Analysis

[caption id="attachment_390476" align="alignleft" width="380"] The Samsung Galaxy S III. AP[/caption]

This update will mean that search results in S III's S-Voice won't include local search results.

This change is partly because of the upcoming trial against Apple in the US which is due to begin on Monday.

Previously Apple had alleged that Google Samsung Nexus smartphone which had a "Quick Search Box" was violating Apple's patent.

The Quick Search Box which searches through search multiple sources gives results via a single interface similar to Apple's voice-assistant Siri. Apple has said that this is a patent infringement.

Samsung's move to remove local search results from the S III seems to a be preemptive move to ensure that Apple does not bring the same charges against its smartphone.