Filed under: Apple Corporate, Rumors
Steve Ballmer compliments Apple, Hell freezes over
The Seattle Times is reporting that Steve Ballmer, who notoriously laughed at the iPhone, had some good things to say about it last week in a speech he gave at the computer-science building at the University of Washington. "Apple's done a very nice job that allows people to monetize and commercialize their intellectual property," he said.Ordinarily, a comment like this might not be significant, but in this case it adds fuel to the fire that Apple will replace Google with Bing as the default search engine in the next iPhone OS. Google and Apple are increasingly at odds and it's possible that Apple may see an alliance with Microsoft as a way to stave off Google's mobile growth.
For Microsoft, a deal that puts Bing on the iPhone would be a huge win as mobile search is becoming increasingly common. Smart phones are becoming more mainstream and the iPhone is increasingly dominating the handset market.
Currently Microsoft offers a Bing iPhone app. Whether Bing goes further on the iPhone remains to be seen because Ballmer, rather uncharacteristically, is staying mum. The Seattle Times cornered Ballmer after his speech and asked is there an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing going on, to which Ballmer just smiled, said he couldn't answer and climbed into his car.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bobby Dale Bailey said 11:18AM on 3-09-2010
Hell froze over on February 7th.
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Shelbz said 1:18PM on 3-09-2010
Who Dat?
mikehild said 3:32PM on 3-09-2010
What happened on Feb. 7?
b.essiambre said 11:16AM on 3-09-2010
Grabs popcorn. As if Apple and MS can put their differences aside. There's going to be backstabbing as soon as one of the two sees an opportunity. This is going to turn into a big fiasco leaving only Android and Linux left standing when the dust settles.
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Aaron said 11:24AM on 3-09-2010
I don't think apple would "replace Google with Bing." I think they might give users the third choice of using Bing instead of the only two current choices of Yahoo and Google. People sometimes forget that you can use Yahoo as your default search engine on the iPhone as well.
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Aaron said 12:19PM on 3-09-2010
Actually, Bing is sort of already there. Isn't Yahoo powered by Bing, now? That would mean that you can already switch your default engine to Bing...
Michael said 11:27AM on 3-09-2010
Is search so important? I know I hardly ever, ever click on advertisement links when I search on the computer or on my phone. I just don't see how it can be worth all this money and politics. Don't most people search for something and when they find it they click on it to get to the page that is relevant to them?
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balls said 12:01PM on 3-09-2010
It's surprisingly lucrative; if you're the top dog. And, it's pretty effective (as an advertiser).
We setup a simple google adwords campaign, and got a number of hits based on a few key phrases.
Yes, people do block ads, and others filter; but if you're looking for something specific, like a business, or service, you might be more inclined to click a link advertising something a relevant site, than you would say a link that pops up when you're searching for a recipe for fried green tomatoes.
Todd Sieling said 12:22PM on 3-09-2010
The default search engine role is extremely lucrative. Mozilla has funded Firefox exclusively off of Google being the default search engine to the tune of I think $25million per year, and I'm not sure how much Safari gets from sending queries to Google by default but it's up there as well.
skyblaze said 11:41AM on 3-09-2010
*quoting skywalker chris griffin*
WHAAAAAAAAT?????????
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Jeff said 12:48AM on 3-12-2010
"Car!!! Car Coming!!! Car!!!
Dan said 11:43AM on 3-09-2010
I think the reason why Steve Ballmer has made this statement is the fact that Windows Mobile 7, similar to the iPhone OS will be a closed system. There will be a similar distribution system for Apps.
This has nothing to do with a change of search providers on the iPhone OS.
Greetings from Germany
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James said 11:56AM on 3-09-2010
I really hope they don't.
I love Google search and would not welcome a switch to Bing.
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naturlichfrisch said 12:11PM on 3-09-2010
Even if they "switch" to Bing, you can "switch" back to Google in Settings>Safari>Search Engine. Doesn't anybody notice the settings that are there in the iPhone software. You can switch to Yahoo as your default engine right now! Apple users frustrate me...
samuel said 1:38PM on 3-09-2010
I think it would be a classic case of closed thinking where on person making all the decisions is wrong and nobody stops it. You know Jobs has the final say on this.
It'll probably be an option, not a full replacement. I think Apple will get M$ hopes up and take some sparkle from Google, only to drop M$ later on and watch them burn.
the old man said 3:56PM on 3-09-2010
We know that the default can be switched, but the majority of iPhone users won't know and won't care, they'll just use the default, whatever it is.
Frank said 12:26PM on 3-09-2010
cats and dogs, sleeping together! chaos!
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kindakrazy said 12:28PM on 3-09-2010
Wait for it.... Wait for it...
Yes, there it is. The knife in the back.
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Dale said 12:35PM on 3-09-2010
Is he really, really sweaty in that photo? Or is it bad lighting?
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Dan said 1:13PM on 3-09-2010
Not sure, but he'd make for a great spokesperson for Gatorade. Gotta replace all these electrolytes lost to sweating profusely. Or maybe for a stronger deodorant. :-)