Sources: Bing to rival Google search on the iPhone

Microsoft Bing could be given more of a chance to rival the use of Google search on the Apple iPhone, according to reports citing sources close to the deal.

According to some reports Bing will replace Google search in the next version of the iPhone operating system in June. Other reports say the Bing service will just be offered as a more prominent alternative to Google search.

At the moment, because Google search is set as the device’s default search engine, users have to go into the iPhone’s settings to change to Bing, a feature that tends to put users off making the switch.

If Apple does partner with Microsoft, the announcement could take place at the firm’s upcoming developers conference, due to take place on the 7 June.

Reports of the firms pairing up against Google have been circulating since the beginning of this year and speculation has grown as Apple and Google increasingly compete against one another in the mobile hardware and software market.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt had to resign from the Apple board last year because of the increasing areas of overlap between the companies.

Google rivals the iPhone with the Nexus One smartphone, and competes with the Apple operating system with its Android.

Google publically declared support for HTC when Apple waged a lawsuit against the Taiwan-based manufacturer, claiming it had infringed iPhone patents.

Apple has already demonstrated its competitive streak by banning Google Voice form the iTunes App store.