Apple Considered Alternatives to Google Search But Chose to Maintain Lucrative Deal

Apple held discussions with DuckDuckGo and Microsoft's Bing to potentially replace Google as the default search engine on Apple devices.
Apple weighed acquiring Bing or entering a joint venture with Microsoft, but ultimately decided against it.
Apple had concerns about competing with Google and questioned the quality of alternative search options.
Apple's executives cited the company's lucrative financial deal with Google as a barrier to switching search providers.
The Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit alleges Google's payments to Apple stifle competition in search.