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 seeking to build "a competitor to Google's search engine." The Financial Times echoes news from early October that Apple is making adjustments in key areas of expertise related to internet search. The report further cites the fact that Apple's current agreement with Google is on the verge of expiration, and that the antitrust scrutiny could ultimately end it anyway.
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The Financial Times states, how iOS 14 "has sidelined Google for certain search features," including search in the "Today View," which displays a list of results generated by Apple—instead of Google. The Financial Times further reiterates that Apple has a "growing incentive" to implement this, primarily due to antitrust scrutiny. Google pays Apple approximately $8-12 billion annually to give its search engine priority on Apple devices. The search engine deal also includes Apple's voice assistant, Siri. However, the Department of Justice could simply "demand the termination of the exclusivity agreement." Whether Apple will actually ultimately introduce a search engine that can compete with established solutions remains questionable. AirPods Pro on special offer at Amazon – available now. (Photo by Gargantiopa / Bigstockphoto)
