DEBUNKED: Verizon Bing Deal Not as Bad as Initially Thought

Okay, so the rumor about Verizon’s intention to block Google Search in favor of Bing can be put to bed.  Business Insider has confirmed the details of the arrangement with a Microsoft representative.  What’s the deal?  Bing will come loaded on a handful of phones, but will not be exclusive to Verizon.  Further, it will not be on all of Verizon’s devices.  In a nutshell it will be like this for some of Verizon’s phones.  However, it’s not fully explained whether or not Google Search will be restricted on future handsets as it is with the Fascinate. I’ll assume that it will be unless we hear otherwise.

Sounds considerably better than before, however we still have a complaint.  Setting Bing as a default search is one thing.  Blocking alternatives is another.  Feel free to load all the bloatware and licensed apps/services you want.  Just don’t handcuff us if we decide to clean the phone up and adjust it based on personal preferences.

For what it’s worth, this is pretty much what our editor Chuck was thinking was going to happen.