Apple has altered the default web search provider baked-in to IOS and mac-OS to Google, leaving Microsoft’s Bing out in the cold.
The Safari web browser has long offered Google results by default, a privilege Google has paid billions for. However, until now Siri, Spotlight on Mac and IOS Search brought back results from Bing.
Apple says the reason for the decision is to provide consistency within the operating systems, although it’s unclear whether Google is paying for the change.
“Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri, Search within IOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari,” the company said in a statement.
“We have strong relationships with Google and Microsoft and remain committed to delivering the best user experience possible.”So, from now on, when Siri users say “Hey, Siri, search the web for…” the results will be from Google.The same applies when typing a request in the internal search functions in IOS and mac-OS that also offer web results.Apple’s announcement is likely to coincide with the release of mac-OS High Sierra on Monday. IOS 11 arrived on September 19 for compatible devices.The company says the change is coming today, so you should start noticing it soon.