[SllX]

Billions have been invested in making a better Google than Google by other entities but most people just want Google.

Even if Apple did make a search engine, that’s no guarantee iPhone users would want to use it, and if Google and nobody else paid Apple a penny to be the default, there’s better than even odds Google would still be the default.

[Teever]

Yes but those other entities aren't Apple.

Apple does the impossible. Frequently. If anyone could make a better Google it would be Apple.

[SllX]

Look, I like Apple too but don’t get too high on their supply.

Apple does the possible but extremely challenging, frequently. Given enough time and money, they probably could be at least competitive with Google, but how much time? How much money? What are the opportunity costs to doing this and not investing somewhere else where they are either stronger or there’s a more lucrative future business to be had (like their mixed reality headset)?

[Teever]

That's the point of the discussion, how much of that opportunity cost is due to monopolistic behavior on the part of Google?

[SllX]

There would be an opportunity cost even without Google’s money. Google may not be what it once was but it is definitely still the best in the free-tier search engines you can use today and in 2007 it was several heads and shoulders above anything else Apple could have picked as the default on iPhones.

If payment from Google (or anyone else) isn’t a factor in what Apple uses as the Safari default, it is not at all clear that this change alone would make it worth Apple’s time to develop their own search engine. You have an easier argument with that change, but it’s not a slam dunk.

[henry2023]

Have you seen Apple Maps?

[sethherr]

Have you seen Apple Maps recently? It’s great. I switched over a few month ago.

[wkat4242]

OSM is still way way better than both.

When I walk in the mountains here I am walking in a big empty green square according to Google :S Same with Apple.

Meanwhile OSM knows every little trail including surface and gradients <3 It's amazing. And I can turn on layers so I only se the things I need and not everything else.

[gaganyaan]

I'm not sure why you're downvoted, but OSM is actually better at nature areas.

[wkat4242]

And not just there, also when walking in the city. Little shortcuts are often not on Google maps at all. The only thing where I see Google beat it is live public transport information.

And perhaps traffic but I don't drive so I don't know how good that is.