In the short term this seems unworkable - Google have a better product and, let's not forget, deeper pockets (being the default search provider being something

In the short term this seems unworkable - Google have a better product and, let's not forget, deeper pockets (being the default search provider being something Google pay handsomely for). In the longer term I could see Apple quietly partnering with Yahoo! to see whether anything can be done - possibly something with product tweaks Apple might want which Google won't provide - but that feels 2 - 5 years away minimum. There feels an implicit assumption here that Apple will do whatever it takes to shaft Google but that feels highly questionable - Apple and Google don't hate each other as much as is sometimes made out. Google happily support their apps on iOS because that aligns with their core mission - information gathering and indexing. Apple happily have Google's apps on iOS because that supports their core mission - a better experience for those using Apple products. Google is the default search provider on iOS and OS X. Google staff happily and openly use Macs. These aren't the actions of mortal enemies. Even iOS vs. Android doesn't feel the thing it once was. Apple got the top of the market and the associated revenues and margins, Google got the rest of the market and the associated data and both have workable, seemingly sustainable ecosystems. Sure they probably both want more but for now they seem relatively content with what they have.