Bing has a lot going on. According to Business Week, a deal with Microsoft is in the offing:
Apple (AAPL) is in talks with Microsoft (MSFT) to replace Google (GOOG) as the default search engine on its iPhone, according to two people familiar with the matter. The talks have been under way for weeks, say the people, who asked not to be named because the details have not been made public.
A later clip from Business Week stated:
The rift between Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) looks like it could get a whole lot wider. Apple is considering replacing Google as the default search engine on its iPhone with Microsoft’s (MSFT) Bing, according to two people familiar with the matter. Discussions between Apple and Microsoft have been going on for weeks, say the sources, who caution that a deal with Microsoft is not imminent and may never be reached.
Jonathan Yarmis was quoted as saying:
“I fully expect [Apple] to do something in search,” he adds. “If there’s all these advertising dollars to be won, why would it want Google on its iPhones?”
Greg Stirling from Search Engine Land posted his own thoughts about the possibilities of Bing on Apple, saying that Google is not really in any danger of losing Apple to Microsoft:
Assuming that the BusinessWeek report is correct and Bing does become Apple’s default engine, a large percentage of iPhone users would still use Google by switching their search default to Google in settings or by searching via the Google app. Google would likely help that process along: “Would you like to make Google your default search engine?”
And later, a report on CNBC cites an email which apparently came from someone in the know, stating:
Every time you do a Google search from Apple’s iPhone Safari and a user clicks an ad, Apple gets a payment. Microsoft, this source tells me, is willing to throw much more money to Apple to ensure that they displace Google as the default engine. If that’s the case, it is an absolutely key point to getting a deal done, and if Microsoft is already venturing down that path, then these talks may be much, much further along than my Apple source earlier today suggested.
So. Google or Bing> Which will it be? It would definitely carry a certain cachet if Bing displaced Google on Apple iPhones, but can it really happen? Or will worry over user outrage still keep Google open as a default and add Bing as a mere option?