A recent report from The Information explained that an Apple search engine is in the works, and it could compete with Google by 2026.
Specifically, the website discussed Apple’s ongoing efforts to create “search capabilities that might compete head-on with Google’s.”
Apple has been working on it since 2018 but faced delays due to key experts leaving the company. Now, MacWorld says Apple is “at least four years away from launching a potential Google search replacement.”
Why make an Apple search engine?
Photo Credit: www.thetechoutlook.com
At first, Apple did not intend to create a platform rivaling Google. However, the tech firm needed to improve its in-app search capabilities.
For example, looking for programs in the App store has been a hassle for many years. Moreover, Apple needed to improve Siri’s search abilities for following user commands.
In 2018, Apple tried to solve the problem by acquiring the news startup Laserlike.
Three former Google search employees founded the company. Specifically, co-founder Srinivasan Venkatachary occupied a senior role in the Apple search engine development team.
The group focused on developing a “power search for Apple Music and the App Store.” Also, it could use the technology to “generate data for Apple teams developing applications using natural language processing, such as those involving translation.”
However, the Laserlike team could have created a search engine that could stand toe-to-toe against Google, thanks to their skills and experience.
Unfortunately, The Information revealed that all three Laserlike founders returned to the competitor.
Their absence dealt “a potential blow to the Apple team quietly developing search capabilities that might compete head-on with Google’s.”
Fortunately, recent reports say that the Apple search engine may launch in four years. As a result, the company could stop paying Google 18 to 20 million dollars yearly to integrate the search engine into its apps.
The upcoming platform could open new opportunities to profit more from advertising products and capturing data.
Conclusion
The upcoming Apple search engine is allegedly four years away from becoming a major player in the online search industry.
Yet, the company’s search functions had been improving before The Information published its report. For example, the voice assistant Siri now responds to “Siri” instead of “Hey, Siri.”
Technology continues to improve as it elevates our daily lives. Follow Inquirer Tech to ensure you can adapt to the latest digital trends.