MS wants visible Bing option on Apple devices

Microsoft is still pressing to have a Bing search option on the iPhone, insiders said Friday night. Countering a rumor that Microsoft was replacing Google as the default search option, the sources said Microsoft only wants Bing as a "more visible" choice on Apple's devices. Bing maps might also get more integration if Microsoft had what it wanted.

The Windows developer isn't pushing for any permanent deal "for now," but the contacts told AllThingsD that there was always the slight chance the talks could lead to something more. Apple may be hoping a deal is reached quickly enough that it can be announced at WWDC on June 7, but any deal is tentative; Microsoft is worried that a leak might sabotage its plans.

Apple has incentives to at least provide additional search choices on iPhone OS hardware as the company has been keen to spite Google for its competition with Android. However, the company may be wary after years of stirring anti-Microsoft sentiment and already has a Yahoo search option, which itself is partly linked to Microsoft through a corporate deal last year.

By Electronista Staff