Comments on: Bing and the iPhone – Backroom Shenanigans or Just Business as Usual?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:07:39 +0000

Thanks for dropping by, Louis.

Frankly, I don’t like the idea that an IT/media/Internet company must have a primary enemy, since this industry has become so complex and intertwined these days that realistically all the major players in this dance have their hands in almost all the cookie jars. Like it or not, everyone has no choice but to diversify and step on everyone else’s foot for the sake of growth.

In any case, I do believe the Google-Apple-Microsoft story arc is fascinating (and entertaining) to follow, and these three companies will all be around for a while wringing each others’ necks.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:49:46 +0000

Thanks for your comment.

Yeah, I won’t be terribly surprised you have a settings toggle to select who you want your Maps and Search provider to be. And for all newly shipping iPhone 4.0 devices, Bing will be the default choice for users unless they deliberately go to the settings to change it back to Google. However, for existing iPhone users, I don’t expect a firmware or OTA update will forcibly change your search provider settings.

As the market leader (in terms of share), Google rightfully should be available as a choice for the users. The whole idea is open up consumers with more choices and allow them the opportunity to experience new services, not to reduce choices.

Give Bing a shot – you will be pleasantly surprised how much it has evolved since it’s launch earlier last year.

By: links for 2010-01-20 « doug – off the record

links for 2010-01-20 « doug – off the record — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:04:14 +0000

[...] Bing and the iPhone – Backroom Shenanigans or Just Business as Usual? | Armchair Theorist Bing and the iPhone – Backroom Shenanigans or Just Business as Usual? (tags: bing google apple) [...]

By: Louis Gray

Louis Gray — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:02:32 +0000

Thanks for reading, your comments and response. Appreciated.

One of the major things I tried to highlight was Google’s perception that it is better. I believe many people see Google as synonymous with Web search, and it has a very good reputation. I also recognize people can change defaults. That said, maybe I should also have the option to install FireFox or Chrome or … Google Voice… on the iPhone, but today, I cannot.

The proximity of time between Eric Schmidt leaving the Apple board and Google getting more aggressive with Android/NexusOne and this potential decision has to make it seem the two are correlated. I took issue as much with BusinessWeek’s position that both companies see the other as primary enemies as I did with a potential move to Bing Bing Bing…

By: ds7777

ds7777 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:02:26 +0000

I doubt Apple will replace Google Search and Google Maps on iPhone 4.0. If anything, 4.0 will allow iPhone users to now select Bing as a default search engine, as opposed to the present offerings of Google and Yahoo only. In regards to Google Maps, I believe this is quite an integral part of the iPhone experience, and would really be surprised if this was removed or changed.
I agree with you that more choice would be given (with Bing search and Bing maps), and that’s always a win for the customer, but i doubt Apple would remove any Google products in the near future.

Btw, your article as also inspired me to re-try Bing again as my default search on my notebook.