[melted]

Pretty much. And Apple had to roll its own maps because Google would not allow Siri to use maps. Apple Maps are pretty darn good by now, so I think it's safe to assume that Apple started building their own search engine for Siri well before it made a deal with Microsoft, and Bing is a stop-gap measure. Apple likes to own its core technologies.

[ascagnel_]

Not really -- the Apple Maps vs Google Maps trouble started when Google refused to allow turn-by-turn directions until Apple started turning over more user data. If I remember right, Apple Maps launched "early" (before the deal with Google expired) in an effort to put Apple into a more powerful negotiating position.

[goatforce5]

And if they don't control it, it makes sense for them to have multiple viable alternatives. i.e., spread the money around and don't let one player get too powerful.