Apple search engine likely in development
- According to a new report, there is multiple pieces of information that strongly suggest an Apple search engine is in the works.
- It is likely that Apple is doing this to reduce reliance on Google for web searches and other search functions.
- Google is currently in an antitrust investigation which could lead to poor results for Apple.
Over the past few years there have been several rumors, leaks, and other information suggesting that Apple is working on its own search engine. A recent report from Financial Times summarizes many of these details, while also suggesting that Apple’s efforts in this area are increasing.
Due to Google’s current legal situation, it is very likely that Apple will quickly track a search product. The Big G is under investigation for alleged antitrust violations centered around Google Search. If Google has to roll back its partnerships as a result of this investigation, Apple could run into trouble.
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The default search engine for Apple iPhones is currently Google. Allegedly, Google is paying Apple up to $ 12 billion per year for this privilege. If Google can no longer do this, then an Apple search engine is required, otherwise Apple may have user experience issues.
Apple Search Engine: What’s Up?
The FT The report summarizes the efforts Apple has already made in the search space. It has hired several people with work experience related to search engine development (including ex-googlers) and increased its job postings on the same topic. FT There has also been a surge in activity related to Applebot, a web crawler that gathers huge amounts of Internet data.
Recently, Apple changed how search works on iPhones. The first results of the web search are now from Apple, not Google. However, it seems that this only happens in iOS 14.
It is currently unclear whether Apple wants to actively take over Google in the search industry. That seems like a daring task considering how other search engines can barely keep up. However, if this antitrust process is not preferred by Google, the search landscape can be very different. We have to wait. Ultimately, however, there seems to be an Apple search engine, at least when it comes to iPhones.
