Microsoft is considering developing a 'super app' to break Apple and Google's monopoly in mobile search

It is reported that Microsoft is considering developing a 'super app' for smartphones that integrates functions such as web search, messaging, news feed, and shopping into one. It looks like Microsoft is trying to cut into mobile search, which is dominated by Apple and Google, with this super app.

Microsoft Eyes 'Super App' to Break Apple and Google's Hold on Mobile Search — The Information
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/microsoft-eyes-super-app-to-break-apple-and-googles-hold-on-mobile-search

Microsoft mulls 'super app' for iPhone to compete with Google
https://9to5mac.com/2022/12/06/microsoft-bing-iphone-super-app-search/

Microsoft considering 'super app' to fight Apple & Google mobile dominance | AppleInsider
https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/12/06/microsoft-considering-super-app-to-fight-apple-google-mobile-dominance

According to IT news media The Information, the 'super app' Microsoft is considering is modeled after Tencent's WeChat app, and is expected to be released on iOS and Android. WeChat is an application that bundles messaging, shopping, SNS, news feeds, games, payment methods, etc., and has become an essential application for Chinese people's daily lives.

What is the big problem with the ultimate form of data concentration 'WeChat' application? -GIGAZINE

Some Microsoft executives also want the super app to bolster their advertising business and Bing search, as well as attract new users for messaging and other mobile services using Microsoft Teams. In fact, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella seems to be focusing on 'strengthening the cooperation between the Bing search engine and other Microsoft mobile products', and it is unclear whether Microsoft will eventually be able to develop super apps. Although there is, it seems that it is written in the internal report that development is actually being considered in-house.

It seems that Microsoft's aim is to use the super app as a springboard to boost Bing search's status on iOS and Android. It is clear that Google, which develops Android, continues to pay huge amounts of money to rival companies Apple every year to keep Google as the default search engine for Safari, the standard browser for iOS. However, regulatory authorities are skeptical that this agreement may violate antitrust laws, and a class action lawsuit has been filed in January 2022.

Class action lawsuit on Google paying over 1 trillion yen to Apple to protect the position of the search engine - GIGAZINE

According to The Information, Microsoft is also bidding on a deal to have Bing adopted as iOS's default search engine, but it loses to Google every time. According to Microsoft's internal report, it is speculated that 'Bing's share of the web search market is smaller than Google's, so it may not be glared at by regulators compared to Google.'

At the time of writing, Microsoft is actively seeking deals with Apple and plans to make Bing the default search engine for Safari has not surfaced. The Information says, 'Microsoft is concentrating on integrating Bing with existing Microsoft products and services and considering the potential of super apps.'