Following a rumor from late March claiming that Apple will be adding Baidu as a search engine option on the iPhone in China, Bloomberg reports that Apple will indeed be taking that step, perhaps announcing the addition at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference.

While customers will have the option to select Baidu as their main vehicle for searching the Web, Google’s product will probably remain the default choice, one person said. At present, users of iPhones and iPads in China can access Baidu search by downloading it separately as an application.

baidu logo
Baidu maintains an 80% share of the search market in China, making it a natural addition for Apple as it seeks to drive overall growth with a focus on the booming consumer market there.

Bloomberg also reiterates claims that Apple will announce next week that it is abandoning Google Maps on iOS in favor of its own mapping solution, but the report offers no other details on the company's plans for the transition.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

foodog Avatar
144 months ago
Baidu: be evil.

Google beat them to that a long time ago
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
144 months ago
Baidu: be evil.

Yawn. At least they are up front about their shenanigans rather than hiding it like Google.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
notjustjay Avatar
144 months ago
Aha! I knew I recognized that paw in LogosQuiz! :D
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoGood Avatar
144 months ago
Logically expected and Apple is showing again it is doing the Chinese market right. Good sign for AAPL investors. I expect Weibo support to follow next.
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dragonmount Avatar
144 months ago
When do we get Lycos in the US?
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bushido Avatar
144 months ago
Aha! I knew I recognized that paw in LogosQuiz! :D

such a addictive game! everyone plays it at class
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)