Google to offer iOS version of its browser

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 16 (UPI) -- An iOS-specific version of the Chrome browser for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is currently being developed by Google, industry analysts say.

Analysts at Macquarie Equities Research say such a move would benefit both Google and Apple, TG Daily reported Tuesday.

An iOS-specific Chrome could significantly reduce the amount of money Google pays to Apple for the use of Google searches in Apple's own Safari browser, analysts said.

However, any browser will face an uphill battle to become a success on iOS.

Although Apple allows third-party browsers, they cannot be set as the default browser, which means all links to e-mail, texts or apps will still open automatically in Safari.

The result is that even if Google's Chrome eventually becomes popular on Apple's operating system it will always face the competitive advantage enjoyed by Safari.

Macquarie analysts say despite these hurdles Chrome for iOS is likely to be approved by Apple this quarter.