Google Takes a Shot at Apple's Safari

By Evan Niu, CFA – May 10, 2013 at 1:30AM

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Google wants to let third-party iOS developers send content directly to its wildly popular Chrome mobile browser instead of Apple's own Mobile Safari. The move could help the search giant gain mobile browser share.

By only allowing Mobile Safari as the default browser in iOS, Apple (AAPL 0.12%) has given itself a major advantage in the mobile browser market. The company permits third-party alternatives, but they can't be used as a default. That convenience factor goes a long way, particularly when viewing content from third-party apps.

Google (GOOGL 0.65%) recently said it would begin offering developer tools that allow app developers to send content directly to its rival Chrome browser on iOS, which could undermine Apple's own browser. However, Apple still has other ways to give Mobile Safari a leg up, like the Nitro JavaScript engine that it doesn't allow third-party developers to tap into.

In the video below, Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, explains how the move could help Google make a dent in Apple's mobile browser share.

Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Google. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.