Why's Apple's avoiding a tussle over Google search

An awkward admission last September reveals what’s really going on behind the scenes, and hints to Apple's longer-term plans...

Those still paying attention through the blur of eggnog and gifting this past fortnight might have caught wind of a fishy and carefully-timed announcement from Apple.

Product chief Eddy Cue chose the quietest possible moment to make it official that Apple has zero interest in building a search engine to rival Google.

The decision, which affects 3.2 billion Apple users, was buried in a court document quietly signed on December 19 and filed on December 23.