Neowin

There's nothing worse than having to sign a new contract that you know will cost you more than what you paid for in the original agreement. Today, there's a new rumor that Google could have to pay a massive amount in 2014 in order to keep its current default search setup for Apple's iOS devices.

How massive could it be? TechCrunch reports that Google may have to pay as much as $1 billion for the iOS search renewal. The number comes from Morgan Stanley analyst Scott Devitt, who thinks the deal between Google and Apple is based on how many iOS devices that Apple sells.

The more iPhone and iPads are sold, the more money Google may have to pay to keep its default search rights to those products. The article claims that Apple has received bids from Microsoft to have its Bing search engine take over; Bing is the default search choice for both Nokia's phones and, surprisingly, BlackBerry phones as well.

While Google will likely end up renewing its current search agreement for iOS, it would certainly be a huge coup for Microsoft if they were able to outbid Google for those search default rights.

Source: TechCrunch | Image via Google

probably, but after some couple of years in the future, the usefulness of this deal ( at cost of a billion, should decrease) , and google may demand a lower price.

like cross-play? there's some trannies, just for you, sir

For every dollar raised from google ads on Safari(iOS device browser), 75c goes to Apple and only 25c goes to google

probably... they already have a lock on Android as most users won't change their default settings and then having it in iOS means they basically have 100% of the mobile market. Makes sense regardless of the split in ad revenue overall between Apple and Google. Its still a gain in revenue.

I'm surprised that they're aloud to do that actually.  Seems like it'd fall under the same anti-trust suit tat hit microsoft.

Republicans went into power after that lawsuit...

Bing/Google, idgaf as long as I can search.

I'd say let MS have it. It devalues the iOS product and ensures another solid mobile victory for Droid phones.

Bing! I forgot that thing even existed lol