[advisedwang]

> lose their right to being the default search engine on iPhones?

It would mean they can't PAY apple to make Google the default search engine. Apple would then (in theory) pick whichever search engine is best and not just play ball with Google's lock in. This would therefore enable competition. In theory.

[ladon86]

Based on the article it sounds like Apple would default to their _own_ search engine, which they would bundle with their browser, which is the only browser option on their OS, which is the only OS option on their smartphone, the sales of which generate 85% of all profits in the global smartphone sector.

Unclear if Google would still be allowed to default to Google search on their reskinned version of Apple’s browser (branded as “Chrome”, even though it isn’t). But that’s mostly up to Apple, since they write the rules for the App Store, the only way to install software on Apple’s OS. Google might have to maintain their $45bn/year tribute for that privilege.