Google is currently the default browser of the Safari browser in iOS, but Apple gives us the option to change the services of Google with those of Yahoo! or Bing again soon could include a fourth option in the form of the Baidu search engine. In China, Baidu is the most used search engine with a market share of over 80% and Apple is trying to benefit from the system's popularity to distance itself from Google. Of course, Baidu will only be useful in China as soon as it is listed by iOS, but Apple's move only proves that soon the company could give up a good part of Google's services.
Apple's impending divorce from Google is about to take another step towards a split, according to suggestions in China that iOS may soon get local search support. Chinese website Sina Tech is reporting on speculation that Apple will introduce an update for iOS that integrates search functionality from Chinese giant Baidu into the operating system. According to "knowledgeable sources" cited, an agreement is in place and an update could become available as early as next month, although it is unclear if services beyond search would be supported.
application iPhoto on iOS does not use Google Maps to display information about the location where the pictures were taken, Siri uses Wolfram Alpha and Yelp for its searches, and the interest of those at Apple to distance themselves from Google is more than obvious. If Apple releases an update for iOS during the next month, then we can expect it to include some news for users around the world.
