News
Apple, Microsoft in talks for Bing to replace Google on iPhone?
By Charles Starrett
Contributing Editor
Published: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
News Categories: iPhone
Apple is in talks with Microsoft to have the latter’s search service Bing replace Google as the default search on the iPhone, according to a new report. Citing two people familiar with the matter, BusinessWeek reports that the talks have been under way for weeks, but could still potentially fall apart and may not be concluded quickly. Google has been the default search engine on the iPhone since its launch, with Yahoo! an alternative, and also provides the data and maps for the iPhone OS’ Maps application, but has been in increasing competition with Apple through its smartphone operating system Android. In addition, Apple purchased mapping company PlaceBase in 2009, and it is possible Apple plans to implement the company’s technologies in to a new version of the Maps application that is less dependent on Google’s services.
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1
I have a 3G iPhone and love it, and have been planning to upgrade in June when (hopefully) a new iPhone is released. But if they did this—switch to Bing with no option to use Google—it would be an absolute deal breaker. I would start looking for a new brand of phone.
Posted by Melissa on January 20, 2010 at 10:38 AM (PST)
2
I can’t understand why switching to Bing as the “default” (read: not only) provider would change anyone’s mind about getting an iPhone.
The bigger news is that Apple may be going down the road of cutting ties with Google. Google Maps is great because Google’s database of road information and search functionality was the best out there, outshining a number of turn-by-turn GPS with static information. Google Voice, if released on the iPhone, would be a game changer with the sheer number of iPhones in the market today. Combined with the other services Google provides, Apple’s shift away from Google seems like it would hurt iPhone owners much more than it would help them.
Hopefully whatever Apple releases through PlaceBase can keep pace with Google Maps, although that’s hard to imagine for me.
Posted by Dave on January 20, 2010 at 11:03 AM (PST)
3
I bought my iPhone not just because it had Google as the default search engine. I think the more options the better it is of the end-user (me).
Posted by Peter Lau on January 20, 2010 at 8:15 PM (PST)
4
interesting that beside this comment box is a google nexus one ad…hmmm
Posted by jef on January 21, 2010 at 2:26 AM (PST)
5
Switching to Bing means that Apple is unhappy with Google. Google is a bonafide competitor to Apple with the launch of their own line of phones. Plus apple can now dictate their own terms with Microsoft when it comes to advertising dollars via Mircrosofts web pages.
Go Apple!!!!
Posted by SSMOKNN on January 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM (PST)