EXCLUSIVE: Verizon Dropping Google Search From All Future Androids?
We’ve been working on this story since yesterday in regards to the Verizon Samsung Fascinate, A Galaxy S Phone. After the Samsung Galaxy release event in late June we discovered, as the rest of you did, that Bing would be the search on the fascinate. We pinged Verizon spokeswoman, back on July 1, 2010 who gave us this reply: “We also have a great relationship with Microsoft and Bing is the default search engine on our feature phones. Customers may change the search engine on their phones if they like. ”
However after careful review of the Samsung Fascinate we found that the “Google Search” bar is not in the Android Widgets menu, nor can you access it from market. Also we tried several APK’s of the Google Seach bar and have not been able to get those to work either. These APK’s are working on the Captivate, and Vibrant as side loads.
Here’s where the story gets interesting. 2 of our Verizon tipsters, including the one who substantiated those HTC Merge photos back on August 4th, have told us that Verizon is dropping the Google Search from all future Android Devices and offering Bing in it’s place.
We were under the impression that Verizon is committed to the entire Google/Android experience.
Update: Verizon did in fact add the option to have Bing as the default search bar, but did not completely remove Google search, both options are in play for Android users.
Verizon can kiss our ass – they suck
Verizon users can wave goodbye to any timely updates in future, then. Can you imagine Google busting a gut to get Gingerbread or Honeycomb onto Verizon-branded legacy devices just to fatten Microsoft’s pockets?
Unbelievable! I will NOT use any phone with Bing on it. Guess I’m going to switch my service soon.
Verizon can kiss our ass – they suck
Verizon users can wave goodbye to any timely updates in future, then. Can you imagine Google busting a gut to get Gingerbread or Honeycomb onto Verizon-branded legacy devices just to fatten Microsoft’s pockets?
Unbelievable! I will NOT use any phone with Bing on it. Guess I’m going to switch my service soon.
Unbelievable! I will NOT use any phone with Bing on it. Guess I’m going to switch my service soon.
Verizon users can wave goodbye to any timely updates in future, then. Can you imagine Google busting a gut to get Gingerbread or Honeycomb onto Verizon-branded legacy devices just to fatten Microsoft’s pockets?
Verizon can kiss our ass – they suck
Wow – Wonder how that net neutrality pact feels now?
Well, there are 2 deals that could give Verizon more money, 1 billion: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4AB19920081112
This sucks, since I just started my contract with Verizon, I HATE M$ and I should have done my homework. Once my contract is up, and I really hope Google releases their gPhone and will be switching to that phone.