What to Know:
– Newly unsealed testimonies from the ongoing Google antitrust case reveal that Apple considered acquiring Bing and partnering with DuckDuckGo.
– The testimonies were given by Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, and former Siri vice president, Bill Stasior.
– Apple’s discussions with Bing and DuckDuckGo were part of the company’s efforts to improve its search capabilities and reduce its reliance on Google.
– The testimonies also shed light on Apple’s relationship with Google and the financial arrangements between the two companies.
The Full Story:
Apple’s discussions with Bing and DuckDuckGo were revealed in newly unsealed testimonies from the ongoing Google antitrust case. The testimonies were given by Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, and former Siri vice president, Bill Stasior.
According to the testimonies, Apple considered acquiring Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, as a way to improve its search capabilities and reduce its reliance on Google. Cue stated that Apple had discussions with Microsoft about a potential acquisition of Bing, but ultimately decided against it. The reasons for not pursuing the acquisition were not disclosed.
In addition to considering Bing, Apple also explored a partnership with DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused search engine. Cue mentioned that Apple had discussions with DuckDuckGo about a potential partnership, but again, no further details were provided.
These revelations highlight Apple’s efforts to enhance its search capabilities and reduce its dependence on Google. Currently, Google is the default search engine on Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads. However, Apple has been gradually distancing itself from Google in recent years. In 2014, Apple replaced Google with Bing as the default search engine for Siri, its virtual assistant. This move was seen as a way for Apple to gain more control over its search functionality.
The testimonies also shed light on the financial arrangements between Apple and Google. According to Cue, Google pays Apple billions of dollars each year to be the default search engine on Apple devices. The exact amount of the payments was not disclosed, but it was revealed that the payments accounted for a significant portion of Apple’s services revenue.
The financial arrangement between Apple and Google has been a subject of scrutiny in the antitrust case. Critics argue that the payments from Google create a barrier to entry for other search engines and limit competition in the search market. However, Cue defended the arrangement, stating that Google is the best search engine and that Apple’s priority is to provide the best user experience for its customers.
The ongoing antitrust case against Google, filed by the Department of Justice and several state attorneys general, accuses the company of engaging in anticompetitive practices to maintain its dominance in the search market. The testimonies from Apple executives provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the search market and the relationships between major tech companies.
While Apple’s discussions with Bing and DuckDuckGo did not result in any significant partnerships or acquisitions, they demonstrate Apple’s efforts to explore alternatives to Google. As Apple continues to invest in its search capabilities, it will be interesting to see if the company makes any further moves to reduce its reliance on Google and potentially disrupt the search market.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/apples-talks-with-bing-duckduckgo-revealed-in-google-antitrust-case/497861/