Apple sidles up to Microsoft

Bing to oust Google on iPhone.

Apple is in discussions with Microsoft to make Bing the default search engine in its Iphones instead of Google.

According to Businessweek, sources close to the deal claim that Apple and Microsoft have been hammering out an uneasy alliance for several weeks. The Wall Street Journal has added more grist to the mill today by reporting that Apple will use Bing instead of Google for its default search and map technologies.

Apple and Goggle's relationship has soured recently as the two giants are increasingly cannibalising each other's market space. Not so long ago Google was the preferred search engine partner for the Iphone. However, one Nexus One Google smartphone running on Android and a couple of competitive acquisitions later, the bloom was off the relationship.

Apple and Google are now on the rebound, and Microsoft has entered the scene in the right place at the right time with Bing, while Apple realises that this deal could cut vital search information from Google's business, scenario which research analysts suggest could see Google's refined search algorithms lose their competitive edge because it wouldn't have data access to Apple's Iphone.

While speculation remains unanswered, it will be interesting to see in the coming days - or months - if Bing also gets the nod as the default search engine on Apple's expected tablet.