Sundar Pichai’s Unsuccessful Attempt to Preload Google Search on Apple Devices Revealed in Court

Highlights

• Sundar Pichai proposed to preload Google Search on iOS devices during annual meetings with Tim Cook.
• The Google CEO offered a long-term commitment of 20 years for maintaining the service.
• Apple, known for not preloading third-party apps, did not act on the proposal.

In an intriguing turn of events, Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently testified in the ongoing US v. Google antitrust trial.

Pichai revealed that back in 2018, he approached Apple with the idea of pre-installing the Google Search app on iOS devices.

The proposal was part of an annual meeting between Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, where both parties assess the lucrative deal that sets Google as the default search engine on Apple’s product range—a deal worth many billions each year to Apple.

According to Pichai, Google’s proposal aimed to address a drop in traffic to Google Search on iOS, a concern that Apple had voiced.

Pichai’s pitch was straightforward: the Google Search app and widget had proven popular on Android devices, and replicating this on Apple’s platform would increase revenue for both companies.

The Google CEO even assured a long-term commitment of 20 years to maintaining the built-in service.

However, Apple remained cautious. The tech giant is known for not preloading third-party software on its devices, as emphasized by Apple’s Eddy Cue in his testimony.

Furthermore, Apple noted that it controls the type and amount of traffic directed to Safari, a point highlighted in notes from a meeting between Google and Apple, as shared by Google’s partnerships executive, Don Harrison.

Pichai noted that while Cook did listen to his proposal, Apple did not specifically react to it.

Although there were several billions of dollars at stake and considering the fact that the Google Search engine happens to be a significant revenue generator for Apple, the idea was too risky to consider.

Of course, there has been no official confirmation from the Cupertino-based tech giant, it remains unclear if such a proposal will ever see the light of day.

FAQs

What did Sundar Pichai propose to Apple?

Sundar Pichai suggested that Google Search should be pre-installed on Apple’s iOS devices. The proposal came during his annual meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Why did Apple not agree to the proposal?

Apple has a policy of not preloading third-party software on its devices. They did not specifically react to the proposal, leaving it unimplemented.

What was the context of this proposal?

The proposal came during annual meetings between the two CEOs, focusing on a multi-billion-dollar agreement that makes Google the default search engine on Apple’s products.

How long was Google willing to maintain the service?

Sundar Pichai assured Apple that Google would commit to maintaining the built-in service for a period of 20 years.