Why Apple Ditched Yahoo Weather for the Weather Channel in iOS 8

iOS 8 is set to launch with a redesigned weather app, which will use data provided by the Weather Channel instead of Yahoo. Apple has been using Yahoo for weather data ever since iOS was released.

Re/code reports, the switch in services was allegedly organized by former Yahoo board member and current Weather Channel CEO David Kenny, who became CEO of the Weather Channel last year.

Kenny reportedly negotiated a deal with Apple that removed Yahoo as the weather data provider for iOS. In iOS 7 and earlier, Yahoo was the provider linked in the Weather app, however the actual meteorological data came from the Weather Channel.

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As a result of the change, Kenny hopes to see a more feature-packed and robust version of the Weather app for iOS 8. An executive at Yahoo said:

“Yahoo had been renting ocean-front property for years and did not realize the lease was up, and the Weather Channel slipped right in and took it. It’s a high-profile loss.”

The news is a big loss for Yahoo, which wanted to increase its roll in iOS by becoming the default search engine. Only time will tell if Apple’s decision to drop Yahoo has its weather provider will have any impact on the company’s future involvement in iOS.

Apple is set to release iOS 8 this fall, presumably alongside the next-generation iPhone. Do you think the Weather Channel is a better choice for Apple and iOS? Let us know in the comments below.

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