Why doesn't the Nexus One have Multitouch

There has been a lot of discussion about the Nexus One (and Google Android in general in the US) not having multi-touch. A lot of people think it is a major shortfall for the phone. Most explanations for the lack of multi-touch seem to be based around either Apple's patents or Apple asking Google not to put it on their phone. It may be a combination also.

The first explanation seems plausible since I've been told this would not apply to European Android phones because of the way EPC treats software patents. And sure enough, European versions of Android phones come with multi-touch.

The second explanation doesn't get the same support, but it's worth looking at. Naysayers protest though, saying Google would never agree to no multi-touch on Android. The Palm Pre has it, so do other devices, it makes no sense.

Perhaps Apple didn't ask Google, but asked Eric Schmidt. Maybe, based on Eric's time spent on the Apple Board and his position at Google it was in his best interest Android didn't have multi-touch.

Just saying.