Apple and Yahoo! executives have discussed ways to collaborate more closely on mobile software.

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer has met with Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice-president of internet services, to explore ways Yahoo! can be more deeply integrated into the software that runs on the iPhone and iPad, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported the discussions. Ms Mayer has made weaving Yahoo! services into mobile devices a central part of her turnaround strategy for the biggest US web portal. Ms Mayer said in January that she was seeking to work alongside companies such as Apple, Google and Facebook to broaden Yahoo!'s reach.

Yahoo! provides data for Apple’s weather and stocks applications. The companies forged closer ties last year when Yahoo!’s sports information was integrated with Apple’s Siri voice-recognition software. However, the person warned that the talks may not lead to a deal. – Bloomberg