Rumor: Bing to be default search engine in iPhone OS 4.0?

One of the most surprising things about the next iPhone OS could be the default search engine. BusinessWeek is reporting that Apple is in talks with Microsoft to have Bing replace Google as the default search engine.

It's becoming increasingly clear that Apple's main rival is not Microsoft, but Google. The Nexus One competes directly with the iPhone; Apple is allowing Google to use Lala, for now; and with Apple's purchase of Quattro Wireless and Google's acquisition of AdMob it seems each company is gearing to directly compete with the other in the mobile ad market. "Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy. Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle," says one of BusinessWeek's sources who is familiar with the matter.

But this isn't just about Apple and Google. As the BusinessWeek article points out, clinching the coveted default spot on the iPhone would also help Bing gain market share in the quickly growing area of mobile search. 86% of mobile searches belonged to Google in November, according to the Nielsen Co. Only 11% belonged to Bing.

For myself, I really like Bing. It took me a while to get used to it, but I think it has many advantages over Google, particularly the was it displays image search results. Microsoft also has a great Bing iPhone app [iTunes] that I find myself using more and more.

While the Bing discussions have been going on for weeks, the source notes that the search switch may never materialize. Interestingly, the article also states that Microsoft may also be lobbying to make Bing an alternative on Apple's Safari browser for Mac users. Despite this, even if the Bing deal goes through, it may not last long. BusinessWeek's source says Apple has a "skunk works" looking at a search offering of its own, and believes that "if Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it's about buying itself time." In other words, Apple sees search in its future.

Would you use Bing for your search engine on the iPhone?
Yeah, Bing has really grown on me.	1136 (18.2%)
Heck no! Google forever!	4747 (75.9%)
Umm, am I the only one who uses Yahoo! search?	372 (5.9%)

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Source: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2010/tc201…

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One of the most surprising things about the next iPhone OS could be the default search engine. BusinessWeek is reporting that Apple is in...

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Zactu

Much of Google products work great across all platforms. However Microsoft products mostly work with Microsoft's own products, it's lockin. So if this rumour is true, Apple is making a big mistake. However it could be all PR against Apple and Google, originating from Microsoft own obedient foot-soldiers.

January 21 2010 at 7:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Moose

If Apple had their own search engine option in the works, then this would make sense as a time buying move. But hitching your wagon to Microsoft, who has proven itself so bungling in so many ways, would worry me as a long term partnership. Especially when so many competing Google products have been innovating and growing by leaps and bounds... I guess I just don't trust Microsoft to be capable of staying ahead of their competition in any real way or marketing themselves well at all.

January 21 2010 at 1:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

listservs

Lets hope this is not true. The Bing app for the iPhone is worse than useless. Irrespective of the search query, the result is always "We did not find any results for ..." Terrible stuff.

January 20 2010 at 8:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Eric

What's so great about Bing? It's Google minus results. Besides, i'd rather have a sane CES in charge of the company that manages my searches. Who knows what's in balmer's head?

January 20 2010 at 7:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dan

What we will need now then is Internet ExplorerÂ® Touch :p

January 20 2010 at 4:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

alexdonegan

If Apple is going to drop Google, they should buy Cuil. A unique, but powerful search engine.

January 20 2010 at 4:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike

Why cant they just give us the choice of ether using Bing or Google and ask the first time you start the iPhone or when you first open the browser.

January 20 2010 at 2:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ashka

Until Bing stops using the spelling/ language setting in System Prefs to decide where one lives I'll stick to Google.

Set to Australian English and Bing puts me in Australia. Set to British English and I'm in the UK.

The only way I can get Bing to put me in New Zealand where I live is by using the default US English. Bing is then correct but the spelling isn't..

January 20 2010 at 2:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

johnmc

Microsoft has done far too much "bad stuff" in the past (e.g. embrace & extend) for me to be comfortable with this. I know they've softened their image in the recent past, but it doesn't absolve them of past misdeeds.

January 20 2010 at 2:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jollyllama

The tech world is a better place when Apple and Google get along.

January 20 2010 at 2:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply