[rubyfan]

They might argue they provide Safari for free and as part of their business model earn a fee for referring users to the preferred search engine vs something substandard. This is a very common business model on just about every web publisher today.

[elashri]

I am pretty sure that if Apple lawyers to present this argument. Then DOJ will find it a gift when they file a monopoly case around apple monopolistic position and restrictions of non-Safari/Webkit based browsers (probably app store too). Because this will make it harder for Apple to present the case about security or privacy of the users if they just said before in a court that they do this as part of their business model to earn money.

[rubyfan]

Defaulting the search to Google in Safari in no way impairs the users ability to choose an alternative search engine. Apple have always left the search setting changeable, for a long time have allowed 3rd party browsers and have allowed other browsers to be the default system browser. This is hardly a monopoly and it’s no secret that Google is paying them gobs of money to be the default. It’s a separate issue from their appstore business entirely where security and privacy are legitimate arguments for the control they exert on that business.

[ttt3ts]

"3rd party" browsers on iOS are just safari/webkit. They do not allow browsers that don't use safari/webkit.