“Apple is being tipped to introduce a much anticipated update that brings support for search services from China’s Baidu into iOS next month, according to Chinese reports that cite comment from Baidu staff,” Jon Russell reports for TNW.
“As we wrote in March, the two firms are said to have been testing the integration to put the Chinese search giant — which accounts for 83.6 percent of the local market — at the finger tips of iOS device owners in China. Now a Sina Tech report — via MIC Gadget — states that a software update that brings the addition will be forthcoming,” Russell reports. “A tie-up will give Baidu a greater share of the country’s iPhone users — who are the most active on China’s mobile Web — while strengthening the local appeal of Apple’s mobile products.”
Russell reports, “The move would see Apple take another step away from its dependence on Google. The recently launched iPhoto for iOS, which does not rely on Google Maps, being a prime example of the route it is pursuing; Apple is also working with Microsoft’s Bing and WolframAlpha for search services.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
If this proves true, google will be in a world of hurt… Serves them right.
Revenge is a dish best served cold! You asked for it, now you’ve got it.
Smart move- Think Different.
Google Smoogle.
Terrible news for the Chinese people as Baidu acts as a government extension in censorship. And the first in a big misstep by Apple in a long time. http://chinacensorshipwatch.org/meet-the-censors-baidu
And Google doesn’t cooperate with NSA, CIA et al? This is a move to stick it to Google. Methinks that Jobs would approve given his feelings toward Android.