Apple Inc. is “actively looking at” revamping the Safari web browser on its devices to focus on AI-powered search engines, a seismic shift for the industry hastened by the potential end of a longtime partnership with Google.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, made the disclosure Wednesday during his testimony in the US Justice Department’s lawsuit against Alphabet Inc. The heart of the dispute is the two companies’ estimated $20 billion-a-year deal that makes Google the default offering for queries in Apple’s browser. The case could force the tech giants to unwind the pact, upending how the iPhone and other devices have long operated.
Beyond that upheaval, AI is already making gains with consumers. Cue noted that searches on Safari dipped for the first time last month, which he attributed to people using AI. Cue said he believes that AI search providers, including OpenAI, Perplexity AI Inc. and Anthropic PBC, will eventually replace standard search engines like Alphabet’s Google. He said he believes Apple will bring those options to Safari in the future.
MoffettNathanson co-founder Michael Nathanson explains how this change could signal the beginning of the end for the dominance of Google’s search engine, which has long been the industry standard for Internet-based queries. Michael speaks with Tom Keene and Paul Sweeney on Bloomberg Radio.
Get more on the Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast:
Apple: http://bit.ly/3OPtReI
Spotify: http://bit.ly/42xmHPz
Anywhere: http://bit.ly/3oOD8ZH
——–
Watch Bloomberg Radio LIVE on YouTube
Weekdays 7am-6pm ET
WATCH HERE: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/BloombergRadio
Subscribe to our Podcasts:
Bloomberg Daybreak: http://bit.ly/3DWYoAN
Bloomberg Surveillance: http://bit.ly/3OPtReI
Bloomberg Intelligence: http://bit.ly/3YrBfOi
Balance of Power: http://bit.ly/3OO8eLC
Bloomberg Businessweek: http://bit.ly/3IPl60i
Listen on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the Bloomberg Business app:
Apple CarPlay: https://apple.co/486mghI
Android Auto: https://bit.ly/49benZy
Visit our YouTube channels:
Bloomberg Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/bloombergpodcasts
Bloomberg Television: https://www.youtube.com/@markets
Bloomberg Originals: https://www.youtube.com/bloomberg
Quicktake: https://www.youtube.com/@BloombergQuicktake
