The Google-Apple partnership has quietly shaped the tech landscape for over two decades. Since 2005, Google has maintained its position as Apple's default search engine through substantial annual payments—currently valued at approximately $20 billion yearly. This deeply entrenched relationship goes beyond just search integration.

The commercial ties between these two giants naturally extend into emerging sectors. With both companies racing into the AI space, their existing partnership framework provides a foundation that's hard for competitors to disrupt. It's a classic example of how established business relationships create momentum across multiple domains.

What's interesting is how these long-term arrangements can entrench market positions. When two industry heavyweights have intertwined operations spanning multiple decades, shifting that dynamic becomes increasingly difficult—regardless of sector. The AI race is no exception to this pattern.