In the past, there was speculation that Apple might be planning to develop its own search engine. Now there are indications that Google could actually face competition. The search engine deal between the two companies could also soon be over.
A new report from the Financial Times has confirmed that Apple is working on its own search engine. The first signs are said to be under iOS 14The article states:
Apple is stepping up efforts to develop its own search technology as U.S. antitrust regulators threaten to pay Google billions in payments to secure prime placement on the iPhone.
In a little-noticed change to the latest version of the iPhone operating system, iOS 14, Apple has started displaying its own search results and linking directly to web pages when users enter queries on its own home screen.
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According to the report, this change is further evidence that Apple is looking to build "a competitor to Google's search engine." The Financial Times echoes news from early October that found Apple is making cuts in key areas of expertise related to web search. The report further cites the fact that Apple's current agreement with Google is on the verge of expiring and that the antitrust scrutiny could ultimately end it anyway.
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The Financial Times stateshow iOS 14 has "pushed Google aside for certain search functions," including search in the "Today View," which shows a list of results generated by Apple - instead of Google. The Financial Times further reiterates that Apple has a "growing incentive" to do this. The reason for this is mainly the antitrust scrutiny. Google pays Apple around $8-12 billion annually to make the search engine preferred on Apple devices. The search engine deal also includes Apple's voice assistant Siri. But the Justice Department could simply "demand the termination of the exclusive agreement." Whether Apple will actually end up introducing a search engine that can keep up with established solutions remains questionable. AirPods Pro on special offer at Amazon – available now. (Photo by Gargantiopa / Bigstockphoto)
