I don't see why everyone is so surprised by this. Google already provides the default search engine for iOS, and it's clear that Apple's on-device stuff is going to be years away. They don't have the infrastructure to do this themselves either, so they're going to need a partner. Steve Jobs always saw Apple and Google as natural partners, he just couldn't get over that Google launched Android.
I think Apple by now realizes that Android was a necessary defensive play by Google aimed not at them, but at Microsoft, so maybe this partnership could be revived. Probably going to be more difficult now in the current regulatory environment, however.
I think Apple by now realizes that Android was a necessary defensive play by Google aimed not at them, but at Microsoft, so maybe this partnership could be revived. Probably going to be more difficult now in the current regulatory environment, however.