Apple is reportedly developing its own search engine after lawmakers dug deep into researching Google’s anti-competitive measures.
Apple was originally in the business of providing end-user products such as phones and laptops. As time passed by, it evolved into a software company that earns the lion share of its profits from the App Store. Yes, the hardware business is still there and gives the company billions of dollars in return. However, its shift to software was what made it grow.
Google, on the other hand, has always been in the business of software, particularly on its search engine. It has found mediocre success in the hardware business. Rumors even indicate that it might completely shut down its smartphone department.
Apple is allegedly making its own search engine
In an effort to break up the current issues on search engine exclusivity, there is a report that Apple is creating its own search engine machine. It has already started sending users links to specific websites when searching on iOS 14. It could be a foreboding that Apple is about to set up a direct competitor against Google.
This bit of information is also somewhat strengthened when Apple poached the head of Google search, John Giannandrea. If Apple pushes through with this business. It will have a strong advantage against Google. The Cupertino-based company already has a wide reach across the world. As such, shifting users to the platform will not be too difficult.
Google and Apple are being investigated
Both Apple and Google are under fire in an antitrust lawsuit. This comes after an investigation that the latter is paying the former big money to make it its default search engine.
Apple has sold over one billion units of iPhones throughout its existence. This number doesn’t even include the tablets and other devices made by Apple. As such, one can only imagine the extent of Google’s reach. In the investigation, it was found out that the search engine giant pays Apple between US$8 to 12 billion to make it the default search engine.
The deal is not limited to Apple. Google also has the same sort of agreement with Samsung. In other words, Google has an exclusivity agreement with two of the top-selling phones in the world. It also means that Google has access to billions of smartphones used.
The U.S. Justice Department said that Google has,
“unlawfully maintained monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets.”
Image from Apple/ YouTube thumbnail