“Why would Apple consider replacing the world’s most popular search engine with Microsoft’s Bing? Apple will probably get more money from Microsoft.,” Burrows reports. “But the real advantage of a Bing tie-up for Apple is that it would cut Google off from some of the search data that’s the lifeblood of its business. Google has grabbed 65% of the traditional PC-based search market in large part because it has had far more information about what people are looking for and could use that to refine its search algorithms. If it can’t get the same kind of data as people shift their computing to the iPhone and other mobile devices, Google risks losing its edge in search.”
Burrows reports, “Apple had agreed to make Google’s search the default on the iPhone years ago, when the two companies were on good terms, and as part of that deal Google got access not only to search queries but also GPS data that helped pinpoint where iPhone users were at any given time. That allowed Google to create a virtual map of the U.S. and a real-time view of where people are using their phones. Last year, Apple told Google it wanted to stop sharing location data, say the four sources.”
Burrows reports, “Apple may only be looking [at Microsoft] for a short-term relationship. One source close to the company says it is considering developing its own search technology. ‘If Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it’s about buying itself time,’ the person says.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: Currently, iPhone and iPod touch users have a choice of built-in search engines within Mobile Safari: Google or Yahoo (Settings>Safari>Search Engine) with Google being “on” by default on new Apple devices.
In addition, there are many Web Search apps available for iPhone and iPod touch. See them all via Apple’s iTunes App Store here.
Mac Safari users can easily install a plug-in such as the free Glims, to add multiple search engine choices to Safari.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “James W.” for the heads up.]
Google are liars. Any company that touts ‘do no evil’, that has to say that or uses it as a logo, does evil.
And they do evil to top the worst of the worst.
They are Pelosiesque
x,
I’m not sure if Pelosi is evil. I have a strong suspicion that she may just be mentally deficient.
MDN: Please, enough already.
Please read this story, and seriously ask yourself if Apple would dare force something this laughably inept upon their users.
Bing is little more than a desperate me-too project which is nowhere near the same league as Google. Please stop making Microsoft happy by spreading this laughably ludicrous story around.
As much as I hate Microsoft, I trust them more than I trust Google. Google really is starting to get frightening.
@ x
Pelosiesque? Get the fuck over yourself….
I do think that Google is getting a little too powerful and full of themselves for their own good. Having said that, replacing one angry bully of a giant with another does absolutely nothing of value for the end user, and really only serves to make Apple look either wishy-washy or spiteful.
If Apple really wants to shake up the tree, then they need to create their own search…. if it means leaving Google alone for another couple of years, then so be it.
Now, the headline of this story implies that Apple will completely exile Google from the land of ‘i’, and that would – at this point – be a HUGE mistake.. quite different, and far more objectionable from switching the default. As big and ‘evil’ as Google may be, the bottom line is that as of now, they are still the best search engine around, and it would be unwise to eliminate the choice we now enjoy.
Pelosi is just out of touch with reality.
That either of you would make such a statement suggests that you are, each of you, either a) evil or b) mentally deficient. Or both. I <u>strongly</u> suspect “both”.
Apple needs to create “their own search engine”. Something they could loosely associate with a) Safari, b) MobileMe, c) the iPhone and d) iWork.com … note I said “loosely”. Not only do people have preferences, but the Feds can bring pressure to bear as well. So … no vertical lock-out. Of course, there’s no reason they couldn’t buy someone else’s engine then modify it. Minimally, the UI would need significant changes … MY opinion. Then IE-specific code would need to be yanked out by the roots.
@ Tony – I call “no way”. Google hasn’t been convicted of monopolist behavior, of running smear campaigns on their enemies, of seeking to absolutely destroy any and all competition in whatever unethical way they can find. I don’t believe you for a second.
Willie G, replacing a strong bully with a (currently) weaker bully gives you a chance to weaken the stronger bully while you work on a better over-all fix. Like buying, or coding from scratch, your own engine. Sure, you’d now have two similarly imposing bullies to work against, but … Hey. Look at the iPhone. It has taken on All Comers in several parts of the world – at least two of them “Bully Class” when the iPhone was introduced. Go back to the iPod … same story.
And What? is likely correct … are not most politicians just a bit out of touch with Reality? Check out the entire previous Administration!
This is all such bollocks.
There is no truth whatever that Apple are at war with Google and nor are they ever going to use Bing.
This is all cooked up by idiots and MS…
Google and Apple are out to destroy Microsoft – or hadn’t anyone noticed???
I have no doubt Apple does develop its own search technology. The question is how different and more intuitive is it than either Bing or Google at the moment? The iPhone relegate both Bing and Google to just 2 little app icons, instead of having them act as the beginning and the end of your Internet experience, like Microsoft and Google would like. I’m sure like the iPhone, and the tablet, Apple would not unveil its search strategy until it is years ahead of everyone else. I suspect Eric S. only realized this too late. When Jobs says “we don’t need to do X”, it means they’ve been working on X for years. Apple could easily afford to buy Dell and Adobe and shut them down or absorb them, but why waste good money when you can pour those funds into R & D and kill them with new innovation that will also make you even more money?
DLMeyer,
I disagree with your assessment for a couple of reasons.
First, Microsoft – if in fact a ‘weaker’ bully – is only so marginally and only then by matter of perception. The scope of MS’s control and the depth of their pockets still outweighs that of Google’s. Not to mention the bad taste that the word Microsoft leaves in the mouths of Apple’s core (no pun intended) customers who remember the goings of the early 80’s to the late 90’s all too well.
Second, it would fly in the face of all Apple has worked to accomplish to replace a service with a technologically inferior service just to buy themselves some time. I cannot imagine Steve Jobs being all to pleased with the backwards step that supplanting Google for Bing would create. If anything, Apple has been working on it’s own search engine for awhile now, and will unleash it when it is ready – but I cannot believe that they will completely jettison Google’s search for the not ready for primetime Bing. It’s counter-intuitive at best.
Can we keep refrain from political banter?
I think Apple is trying to put some fear into Google by leaking this Bing nonsense. I’m sticking with Google until I have a better option.
As I understand it, everything Bush and Cheany did (wars, bankrupt economy, triple national debt, torture, grift, etc…) was A-OK! But if there is a Democratic speaker of the House who is a *gasp!* woman is evil incarnate. Yup. I completely see how this one female has ruined our country.
took the words right out of my mouth – the spread of this news with very little sourcing from anyone, and no comment at all from MS seems to indicate to me that it’s a deliberate ‘leak’
Why – the very discussion and possibility of Google losing the 99% of web traffic searches – something which everyone agrees is the only real growth market in the web – will get them to feel worried, and ultimately this gives apple better leverage.
Bing heavily filters out anti-MS news.
Trying “bing’ing” “How many viruses exist for Microsoft Windows” then Googling the same and you’ll see what I mean.
Bing is nothing if not heavily skewed to protect MS’s interests, and in no way serves the public.
An Apple Search engine that would be kewl!
As the leader of the Democratic Party Obama needs to pull the Pelosi nut aside and tell her to shut the F*ck up or retire ASAP because she’s hurting the party’s credibility.
The last year basically has shown that Obama does not have much of a spine and he has no nads. If he had nads or a spine he would tell congress want he wanted in Health Care Reform and then pound heads to get it passed. But, he told congress I’ll support and sign whatever they thought was best. WTF! That’s not a presidential mandate on Health Care reform or any type of agenda Item. Obama as treated every policy decision in the same manner. The economy, Housing, credit, the stimulus programs and everything.
President Barack Obama = Weak Spine and No Nads (my opinion based on his first year in office). We the people should have voted Michelle Obama in as President (my opinion is at least, she as shown that her Nads are bigger then her husband’s and she does have a spine too.)
willy-
“I do think that Google is getting a little too powerful and full of themselves for their own good.”
this sums up x’s comparison of google and pelosi perfectly. While you despise x’s comment, you’ve put the icing right on the cake.
Still can’t believe this is going on! This whole story is BS… period! Apple vs Google vs Microsoft! Google has said silly things like say, do no evil, but for godsake, its a huge company! Of course they will do things that seem to be a bit self serving, thats what the American Capitalist business do! Make as much money as possible and to screw thy neighbor or at least steal the same idea, it’s not like Apple is some angle company, they too have many faults. No company is perfect, like no person, and to expect that is either to misunderstanding of how humans work or just plain old fashion stupid!
Oh yeah, Apple making its own search engine… ah, why would we need another billionth search engine? Silly! Won’t say it won’t happen but I highly don’t see Apple wasting time doing this.
Nuff said.
What no one ever seems to point out is that if Microsoft gets a deal with Bing on the iPhone/touch it’s basically a result of their own ineptitude with Windows Mobile.
When Apple starts doing search, look out. With their brand alone they can topple Bing and Yahoo and make inroads against Google.
“Trying “bing’ing” “How many viruses exist for Microsoft Windows” then Googling the same and you’ll see what I mean.”
Google for “virus windows” – about 68,900,000 for virus windows
Bing for “virus windows” – 76,300,000 results
First up in Google – http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.aspx
First up in Bing – http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article09-115
I draw no conclusions, just laying this on the table.
I think the best solution would be for Apple and Google to bury the hatchet and work together.
Apple is dropping off Google Maps from the iPhone. That’s no speculation, I know as a fact.
I’m actually fine with loosing the google search on Safari, but if Apple Takes my Google Maps and doesn’t replace it with something with transit directions, I’m switching to android as fast as I can.
@Bunsen Honeydew,
Your perception of the parallel between my comment and x’s is as flawed as your spelling of my name.
Thanks for playing….