Apple Losing Talent to Google Amid Push to Improve Spotlight and Launch Search Engine

[MacRumors]

Apple is seeking to improve Spotlight search, but is still years away from launching a search engine to rival Google, according to The Information.

The paywalled report explains that Apple's search technology faces a setback amid loss of talent to Google. In 2018, Apple sought to bolster development of a web search engine by buying machine learning startup Laserlike, which was founded by three former Google search engineers. The company's technology recommended websites based on a user's interests and browsing history. Now, Laserlike's founders have reportedly returned to Google.

Apple's search team is believed to contain at least 200 employees and powers the technology behind Spotlight, Siri Suggestions, and answers provided by Siri. The company is still at least four years away from launching a replacement to Google search, according to one person involved with the team speaking to The Information. While Google pays Apple around $15 billion per year to stay as the default search engine on Apple devices, Apple developing an in-house rival to Google search could increase its leverage during its periodic negotiations with Google over the deal.

In the meanwhile, Apple has apparently discussed using the technology to power search for Apple Music and the App Store. Apple currently uses the search technology to generate data for Apple teams developing apps that use natural language processing, such as the Translate app, and to use tweets to determine newsworthy events that should show up in results and recommend Apple News articles. One of the team's immediate priorities is said to be improving Spotlight so that it can handle "100 times more" queries than it does today.

Article Link: Apple Losing Talent to Google Amid Push to Improve Spotlight and Launch Search Engine

 

[ct2k7]

Apple's search systems, depending on where it is, can be awful. Some are good, but Apple Music is not.

 

[madmin]

So sell your startup to Apple and then take your old job back at Google, nice work !

 

[crobcary]

Meanwhile, could they simply add Neeva as a default search option for the OS and Safari?

 

[adamw]

Always good to see search engine options different from Google and Bing. Apple should make their own search engine.

 

[anshuvorty]

Another hint that Apple desperately wants to join the ad business?

If so, sad times for Apple...

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple trying to create their own search engine so they can collect user data and eventually show users ads. I see what you're up to.

Apple has realized how lucrative the ad business can be

 

[nt5672]

That is what happens when the guy in charge only cares about money and hardware supply.

The person in charge should be tech aware and understand the software supply chain. Clearly that does not exist at Apple. With services becoming more important it is time for a change.

 

[webkit]

Meanwhile, could they simply add Neeva as a default search option for the OS and Safari?

And lose many billions of dollars in the process.

 

[citysnaps]

OMG...the sky is falling. Again, according to the experts here. Will Apple survive? Keep your pearls nearby. The Apple is doomed tsunami is coming!

 

[JM]

I wonder if Apple dropped some heavy cash to poach engineers, like I’m sure Google does to maintain their place at the top of searching, then they would be able retain top talent.

 

[sw1tcher]

Meanwhile, could they simply add Neeva as a default search option for the OS and Safari?

And lose many billions of dollars in the process.

Why would Apple lose billions when iOS lists Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as search engine options? Neeva would just be another option.

 

[webkit]

Another hint that Apple desperately wants to join the ad business?

If so, sad times for Apple...

Apple is already in the ad business in other ways. They are also essentially already is in the search ad business by the $15+ billion deal they have with Google. I'd rather see Apple have its own successful search engine than simply be the (default) vehicle that pushes Apple users to Google search.

 

[now i see it]

One of SJ’s quotes, “we’re not interested in search”

 

[webkit]

Why would Apple lose billions when iOS lists Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as search engine options?

I read the comment as that they would add Neeva as THE default search engine. If that were the case, Apple would lose the billions coming from Google as the default. But if it's simply as another option then, no, it shouldn't matter.

 

[rpmurray]

So sell your startup to Apple and then take your old job back at Google, nice work !

If you can get it.

 

[sw1tcher]

.... meanwhile over on Twitter land 🤣

Twitter Blue signups disappear a day after fakes and mayhem

Twitter Blue disappears from Twitter’s iOS app

www.theverge.com

 

[d686546s]

I really love my Apple stuff, but does Apple really need to do everything?

Isn't it spreading itself too thin?

Do I really want my entire hardware, software and service experience hooked to a single company?

 

[sw1tcher]

I wonder if Apple dropped some heavy cash to poach engineers, like I’m sure Google does to maintain their place at the top of searching, then they would be able retain top talent.

I hear there are some great engineers from Meta and Twitter who are looking for jobs right now. No need for Apple to drop any heavy cash to poach away their talent.

 

[rpmurray]

It's kind of sad how Apple buys these companies and then essentially lets the tech die on the vine, as evidenced by how many of the employees leave Apple soon after.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Do I really want my entire hardware, software and service experience hooked to a single company?

You don't, Apple do.

 

[crawfish963]

Can we just make Siri useful and improve dictation?

 

[Wildkraut]

Apple's search systems, depending on where it is, can be awful. Some are good, but Apple Music is not.

Apple search generally sucks:

Spotlight search sucks
Finder search sucks
Siri search sucks
Apple Music search sucks
AppStore search sucks
Network Share search sucks

What's left to suck?

When I search for files, I simply open the terminal and use "find ./ -iname '*filename*'" command, it's at least reliable.

 

[ratspg]

“Privacy is a fundamental human right. It’s also one of our core values. Which is why we design our products and services to protect it. That’s the kind of innovation we believe in.” -Apple

So is getting paid $15B a year to have Google as your default search engine on your device. Got it. 😆

 

[jz0309]

Apple search generally sucks:

Spotlight search sucks
Finder search sucks
Siri search sucks
Apple Music search sucks
AppStore search sucks
Network Share search sucks

What's left to suck?

a lollipop?