Samsung has reportedly changed its plans to replace Google with Bing as the default search engine on its mobile web browser. According to The Wall Street Journal, the smartphone manufacturer has paused its internal review of the switch, indicating that Samsung will continue using Google as the default search engine on its in-house Internet Browser.
Samsung’s Internet Browser, pre-installed on Samsung phones, has traditionally relied on Google as its default search engine. However, recent discussions about switching to Bing had raised concerns among Google employees, as the potential move put billions of dollars in annual revenue at stake for the search giant.
Initially, Samsung may have believed that the switch to Bing would not cause significant disruptions, considering that most Samsung smartphone users tend to opt for alternative browsers. However, the company has now decided to step back from the change due to concerns about its relationship with Google and how the market would perceive the move.
While the exact reasons behind Samsung’s initial consideration of Bing as the default search engine remain unclear, Microsoft’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) may have played a role. Nonetheless, Google has been actively incorporating AI-powered features into its search engine and recently made its Bard chatbot available to users beyond the waitlist.
It’s important to note that Samsung’s decision does not completely rule out the possibility of switching to Bing in the future. According to The Wall Street Journal, Samsung has not permanently closed the door to using Bing as the default search engine, leaving room for potential changes down the line.