Google and Samsung to combat Nexus ban by releasing software update

Google and Samsung are working on a software patch for the Galaxy Nexus, which both companies hope will help combat the preliminary injunction that Apple was granted earlier this week.

The update, which is scheduled to be released "imminently", will avoid any use of the infringing "unified search" patent that led to Apple's recent court victory.

Despite jumping through hoops to get the Galaxy Nexus back on the market, Google isn't going to roll over and die, and plans to support Samsung in its on-going battle with Tim Cook's company.

The search giant (along with Samsung) is expected to challenge the validity of the patent at the heart of the injunction and seek a re-examination by the US Patent and Trademark office. Both companies will likely argue that universal search predates Apple's patent filing.

While the Galaxy Nexus isn't the best-selling Android-powered smartphone, but is considered one of the platform's flagship devices. It's also one of the first handsets that will get the newest version of Android, Jelly bean, when it's released later this month.