A U.S. judge has decided in favor of Apple, allowing Google to maintain its default search engine agreement with browser developers like Apple. However, the ruling stipulates that partnering companies must also promote alternative search engines and provide users with the option to change their default settings annually. Importantly, the judge did not prohibit Google from compensating Apple, aiming to mitigate significant market and consumer disruptions. As a result, Apple's share price surged in after-hours trading, and Google's shares also recorded gains. This decision represents a pivotal aspect of the U.S. Department of Justice's ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google, while simultaneously safeguarding the Chrome browser's market position.