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In the ongoing tech saga between Google and Apple, the default search engine on iPhones has become a hot topic of discussion. While both tech giants may have their differences, Apple’s Senior Vice President, Eddy Cue, staunchly defends Google as the only viable option. Despite the ongoing antitrust investigation surrounding Google’s dominance, Cue’s recent testimony sheds light on Apple’s perspective regarding this contentious partnership.
Apple and Google, two behemoths in the tech industry, often find themselves at odds on matters of user privacy and market competition. However, when it comes to the default search engine on iPhones, Cue believes that Google reigns supreme. In a recent public bench trial, he elucidated why Google Search continues to hold this prestigious position.
During his testimony, Cue made it clear that Google wasn’t just the best option but the only option for Apple when they considered a default search engine. “I always felt like it was in Google’s best interest, and our best interest, to get a deal done,” Cue asserted, dispelling any doubts about the possibility of an alternative. He added, “Certainly there wasn’t a valid alternative to Google at the time.”
Contrary to some speculations, Apple had no intention of developing its search engine to challenge Google’s supremacy. In fact, Cue had difficulty even recalling the alternatives available on iOS. The agreement between Apple and Google goes as far as to prevent the display of alternative search engines during any setup process, a decision that Cue fully supports. “We try to get people up and running as fast as possible,” he stated. “We make Google be the default search engine because we’ve always thought it was the best. We pick the best one and let users easily change it.”
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One key aspect of Apple’s decision to stick with Google as the default search engine is its commitment to user privacy. Apple’s agreement with Google ensures that Google cannot mandate users to log in, and it includes certain safeguards against tracking within Safari. “We’ve always thought we had better privacy than Google,” Cue emphasized.
As the public trial continues, many secret documents are being scrutinized. The Department of Justice aims to determine whether Google’s status as the default search engine truly rests on its merits or if financial incentives and undue influence play a significant role.