In a dramatic turn of events, Apple Inc., widely recognized for its innovative technology and public appeal, is now finding itself under the direct spotlight of the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit against Google. Central to this lawsuit are Google's business deals with smartphone manufacturers, prominently including Apple.

Apple has long been benefiting from an agreement with Google, which has, for years, paid Apple large sums of money to remain the default search engine on its devices. In 2019 alone, it is estimated that Google paid Apple between 8 to 12 billion dollars for this privilege. This symbiosis, beneficial for both tech giants, has also been key in solidifying Google's domination of the search engine market.

However, concerns over potential anti-competition practices led the DOJ to file an antitrust lawsuit against Google, which could now significantly impact Apple's lucrative deal with Google. According to the current investigation, Google, via its deal with Apple and other smartphone manufacturers, has been suppressing competition and monopolizing the search engine arena, engaging in what has been interpreted as questionable business practices.

The DOJ's antitrust action against Google could result in the unravelling of this lucrative arrangement with Apple, potentially driving a significant revenue risk for Apple, Inc. With its extensive user base of 1.5 billion active devices, the loss of the Google deal could cause substantial harm to Apple's revenue stream with potential impacts on the broader ecosystem of Apple's value-proposition to its customers and stakeholders.

An in-depth look at Department of Justice's allegations paints a vivid picture of an environment of stifled competition in the tech industry. Ever since it became public that Google is paying billions to Apple to be its default search engine, critics have been questioning if this practice is hampering competition, keeping smaller rivals out of the market, and enabling Google to maintain its virtual monopoly in the digital advertising sector.

In the coming weeks and months, the excellent visibility and investor anticipation surrounding both Apple and the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit against Google promises to ensure that this situation will remain a top market-watch item.

The disclosure of the very existence of this lucrative deal between Apple and Google puts Apple in a position of vital interest in the lawsuit. As a result, while the central player in this antitrust lawsuit is Google, Apple too finds itself inextricably linked to the final outcome. This could result in significant impacts on Apple's financial position and its relationship with Google, leaving many to eagerly await the DOJ's final ruling.