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Bing to be Found on iPhones?
(21 Jan 2010, BWCS Staff)No-one wants to keep adding to the hype around Apple and its iPhones, especially as it is about to monopolise the headlines again soon with the much-heralded launch of its iTablet (see below). However, a new rumour is gaining credence that Apple is about to ditch Google as the default search engine on its iPhones in favour of the up and coming Bing - supplied by Microsoft. The stories appear to have some weight behind them and are backed by what the BBC website called a few moments ago "credible sources here in Silicon Valley."
If the stories are true, it would make little difference to end users but would mark a turning point in the relationship between the three new major players battling for a stake of the mobile market, Apple, Google and Microsoft. The normally trustworthy Bloomberg newswire quotes "people who asked not to be identified" as saying that the talks, between Apple and Microsoft, have been under way for weeks, though the negotiations may not be concluded quickly and might still fall apart".
So far, Google has maintained its place as the default search engine on the 70 million, or so, iPhones. However, Microsoft - determined to increase its presence in this market - is said to be offering Apple a greater share of ad revenues if its switches to the Bill Gates-backed search engine Bing.
The Wall Street Journal described the discussions between Apple and Microsoft as "serious" though could not wring an official quote out of any of the companies. With Google currently dominating the mobile search market, a tie up with Apple would mark a major coup for Microsoft and a blow to its Mountain View-based rival. It would also mark a move towards fighting back against Google which it sees as encroaching more and more on Apple territory.
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