Apple search engine announced by July 2009?

Apple and Google used to compete in different markets and for awhile, both parties seemed to get along. Google CEO Eric Schmidt sits on Apple's board, and Apple has a partnership with Google, which provides a search engine box on Apple's Safari browser.

Now it's starting to get fuzzy. Google has its own browser, Chrome, which competes with Safari for market share. Google also has a mobile operating system, Android, which is being used on mobile devices that challenge Apple's iPhone.

The mobile software market is considered the next big revenue opportunity. Some speculate that Apple, a clear innovator in this category, may build its own search engine likely for a better mobile experience.

Prediction: Apple announces that it's building its own serach engine by June 30, 2009.

Image: Ben Dodson/Flickr