Bing Updated for iPhone, Android

Updated Bing applications for iPhone and Android released in Dec. 2010 add query construction, location sensing, and social networking capabilities to help speed searches and share information with others. The new features will help users on these phone platforms make the most of Bing and could also benefit Bing advertisers by encouraging users to share location data and recommendations.

The iPhone application provides an interface that mimics many Windows Phone 7 and Windows Live Messenger 2011 user interface elements. A feature called Bing Assist can build search queries using a conversational approach. The application also helps users find activities near their current location or where they plan to go. A feature called Streetside displays a street-level view, including business names. Venues can be added to a plan, which can be shared with friends, and restaurants can be booked through OpenTable while to-go orders can be completed using GrubHub, without leaving the Bing application. Upon arrival, Bing can also report the user’s location on the Foursquare social networking site, which allows its users to bookmark locations they frequently visit for friends to see their activities, earn virtual points for activities, and sometimes receive discounts at certain venues. Reminders can be triggered when the user is near a predefined location. Transit schedules—including real-time updates for limited cities—are available for 11 cities, with more to follow. Other search-specific enhancements are provided in the update. For example, users can search for data using the iPhone’s camera (including barcode and cover art searches) and perform voice searches using technology acquired from Tellme.