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Apple and Yahoo reportedly in talks to build a deeper iOS partnership

Apple and Yahoo reportedly in talks to build a deeper iOS partnership

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iPhone 5
iPhone 5

Apple is in talks with Yahoo to bring more of the search company's data to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, reports The Wall Street Journal. Yahoo has long been one of the data providers for iOS devices — the default stocks and weather apps pull data from Yahoo, and Siri uses the company for things like sports statistics as well. Now, the companies are discussing ways to get more Yahoo data, including expanded sports data and content from Yahoo News onto iOS, presumably through Siri or other built-in apps.

It's not a huge surprise to see Yahoo attempt to forge a deeper partnership with Apple — CEO Marissa Mayer has made it clear that mobile is a major part of her strategy for improving the company's fortunes, and the iPhone is a logical place to start. Given Google's own vast array of data, Yahoo likely holds little interest for the other dominant mobile OS. But last year, Apple finally severed all its ties with Google by removing the default Google Maps and YouTube apps that lived on iOS since its introduction in 2007.

Despite that change, Google's position on iOS is arguably stronger than ever — the company has released a string of excellent iOS apps that vastly improve on the older default options. Yahoo may have a tough road to achieving mobile dominance, but it has to start somewhere. As for now, the WSJ's sources say that no deal is imminent, so it may be a while before we see what Yahoo and Apple are planning.