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Caption contest: Bing bus goes searching for search results
Bus. Ice cream truck. Personal space invader. Vessel of illicit speaker transport. It's all semantics, anyway. Darren: "Man, this smoke is great, but damn if I'm not suddenly craving an orange Push Up." Joe: "Unlike the Street View car, the Bing truck is equally at home on the street or at a rave." Chris: "In the event the authorities get too close for comfort, Bing is prepared to take its entire operation mobile for weeks at a time, stopping only to refuel." Don: "At last, the real decision engine is revealed." Richard Lawler: "Ok, so the plot is, we pick up "models" off the street... and find low cost plane tickets, product reviews or a nice restaurant for them. That's it." Ross: "Creative Picture Framing" indeed, Microsoft. Creative picture framing, indeed. Joanna: "Didn't we just do a sketchy tech van caption contest!?" Richard Lai: "For the last time: we don't sell froyo here." Tim: "Creative Picture Framing was a front for GHOST: Google Hating Operatives with better Search Technology. Jeeves had already arrived in his blacked out Benz, but the Altavista boys were nowhere to be found." Myriam: "Oh, I see! It's an art car for Burning Man... Right." [Thanks, Hosain]
Bing Entertainment integrates Zune Marketplace purchases, improves Microsoft's media swagger
Bing, Microsoft's "decision engine," is wading into the entertainment realm today with the revelation that searches for music, lyrics, games, TV shows, and movies will get a new special sauce treatment from here on out. You'll now be able to play 100 basic games right in your search results, along with full-length streaming of songs (first time only, 30 seconds thereafter) from a 5 million-strong catalog. The latter is augmented with "one-click" purchases from the Zune Marketplace (directly through the web, no need to launch the app), Amazon, or iTunes music libraries. Movie tickets are promised to be similarly easy to buy, though the biggest new feature might well be the Bing.com/entertainment page, which acts as a portal into your media consumption with a selection of the most popular content in each category. It doesn't look terribly different from the iTunes storefront, but given its partnership with Apple's digital music shop, we doubt Bing's Entertainment section is perceived as much of a threat -- not yet, anyway. As to that other search giant, Google's been said to already be putting together a music store of its own. Man, all this integration and interconnectedness -- just where will it end?%Gallery-96092%
Google enables Binging background images
Google just flipped the switch letting users across the globe decorate their Google.com landing page with preselected images or photos all their own. Wow, somebody alert Alfred Nobel.
Apple releases Safari 5 with Safari Reader, Extensions and Bing search (updated)
Apple has just outed a press release for Safari 5, which curiously didn't get a mention during the company's WWDC10 keynote, but should be ready to download any minute now. Safari Reader is making its debut, as we'd heard it might, alongside a claimed 30 percent performance improvement over Safari 4 and -- mirroring the iPhone 4 -- Bing as one of the preloaded search engine options. Google and Yahoo are still around, don't freak out. Apple is also adding in Extensions (think Firefox's Add-Ons) to the browser, allowing devs to use HTML5, CSS and JavaScript to pretty up the browsing experience. The Reader feature intrigues us most, as it auto-detects articles within webpages and pulls them out for an unencumbered text-only view. The idea sounds great, but we'll naturally need to see how well it works in practice. Apple's been doing a bit of benchmarking too and boasts that Safari 5 runs JavaScript a whole three percent faster than Chrome 5.0 and over twice as fast as Firefox 3.6. Internet Explorer is presumably still working on finishing that test. P.S. We're hearing the current release might be for devs only, hence the lack of a public download. Update: Okay, now it's available for public consumption. Update 2: We've been playing with Safari 5 for a few moments and here's what we've noticed: Reader is pretty gorgeous -- think Instapaper on the fly. It's hard to tell when it'll kick in and show the Reader button in the toolbar, though -- it works on Engadget posts, but not in Wikipedia articles. Yes, Netflix is broken. It seems like it's doing a browser detect and failing with the new build number, so we'd guess it'll be fixed soon. It's much faster at everything from launch to rendering times. We haven't clocked it yet, but it's noticeably snappier on our quad-core i7 iMac. We're dying to try out some Extensions and see how they work, but we haven't seen any yet. Same with the new HTML5 features -- hit us up if you see anything! Bing Search integration is... Bing search integration. What else is there to say?
WWDC 2010: Bing coming to MobileSafari search
The rumor was partly true, Bing is indeed coming to the iOS search party; however, it will not be the default option as was speculated in January. During today's WWDC 2010 keynote address, Steve Jobs announced that Bing would be alongside Google and Yahoo as available search engine choices for MobileSafari. While it may seem insignificant, mobile search is a huge market that Google is currently dominating and it appears that Apple wants to put a little competition into the mix. While he wasn't gratuitous with his praise, Steve did say that he was impressed by Microsoft's implementation of their search engine in the browser. And no matter what Steve thinks, this additional option is a huge win for the Bing team at Microsoft. And hopefully a huge win for us, too -- competition in the search race will help out consumers a lot in the long run.
Bing officially comes to iPhone, iOS
It had been rumored for a while, but now it's real: Microsoft's Bing is being added as an option to iOS' default search providers. Bing joins Yahoo and Google as Apple's two other bundled search engines -- and between the three, we imagine that comes close to wrapping 100 percent of your average user's daily generic web search habits. It's not often you see a Microsoft product headlining WWDC, so revel in the moment! Check out more from WWDC 2010 in our liveblog!
Microsoft and Apple still in talks for Bing iPhone search option, Google is not on notice
What turned into a pretty frenzied rumor this afternoon ended up being much ado about nothing, but there is something noteworthy. As the story goes, TechCrunch reported that Microsoft was going to completely replace Google with Bing as the search engine of choice for the iPhone once OS 4 launches next month. Enter All Things Digital's Kara Swisher, who has a pretty strong track record on all things Redmond. According to her sources, what's being discussed isn't a full swap -- instead, Bing is being considered for an "option" that users can decide between. None of this is what we'd call brand new gossip, and in fact, it sounds exactly like what we heard back in January. So, discussions still seem to be ongoing four months later, which is pretty interesting. For its part, the original TC article has been amended to say the issue is "more complicated" than originally presented. Hey June 7th? You really can't get here fast enough.
Bing turn-by-turn navigation for Windows Mobile gets taken for a test drive
Microsoft certainly added all the right features to its Bing navigation app for Windows Mobile, but does it actually deliver the goods in real world use? It does according to the folks at PocketNow, who have put the app through its paces and kindly provided a quick demo video of it running on an HTC HD2. While there's nothing too shocking or surprising, it looks like the voice input works well, and the turn-by-turn directions seem to be at least up to par with your average navigation device -- it even has a few nice touches like being able to tap on the screen to repeat the instructions. Head on past the break to check it out the video and, if you're still unsure, you can always take the app for a spin yourself -- it is free, after all. [Thanks, Keenan I]
Bing app for WinMo 6.x phones adds turn-by-turn navigation
Turns out Google isn't the only one pushing further into the turn-by-turn market this week -- Microsoft came out swinging today with the announcement that full car navigation capability has been added to the latest version of its Bing app for Windows Mobile 6.x devices, too. It's got the usual array of route configuration options for avoiding traffic and tolls, alerts, direction lists, and voice prompts -- and Microsoft describes the audible directions as an "amazingly lifelike voice experience," so our expectations are set appropriately. Interestingly, the turn-by-turn capabilities of the new app aren't to Verizon subscribers for some ominous reason, but folks using a laundry list of devices on Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T can get all the capabilities by updating their already-installed Bing app or visiting Bing's site for the download. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iPhone OS 4: Google branding removed in Safari search
iLounge has pointed out that the "Google" branded search button in mobile Safari has been renamed "Search" in iPhone OS 4. Is this a sign that Apple is about to dump Google from mobile search? Despite their increasing competition, it's highly unlikely that Apple will entirely eliminate Google from mobile Safari search. Google is still the world's number one search engine by a wide margin; eliminating it from Safari's search function would alienate a lot of users. So what could the "Google"/"Search" switch mean? Most likely it's that iPhone OS 4 will have search engine options in addition to Google and Yahoo! (like Bing), and Apple wants to have a universal button that reads "search" no matter what engine the user chooses to use. Other possibilities could be that Apple and Google have not agreed on a financial arrangements for Google to be the default search in OS 4 yet and they want Google to know that they'll give default search to the highest bidder. Of course, there's always another possibility: Apple is launching its own search engine. Sounds like a long shot? Maybe it is, then again who would have ever thought Apple would one day be in the mobile advertising market? Personally, I wouldn't hold my breath for Apple search this year. Apple does a lot of things better that Google (and other competitors), but when it comes to search, Google is still king. [image via MacRumors]
'The Vampire Diaries' and Microsoft team up, try to add 'Binged' to the lexicon
If you were watching last night's episode of The Vampire Diaries (believe us, we were not), you probably saw something a little... strange. Yes, with the opening credits still running, two women (sorry, we have never seen a frame of this show so we don't know who these broads are) sitting in front of a laptop converse about a runaway teen named Isabelle Peterson or something like that. Unsure of whether or not this suspicious Peterson character was using a fake name or not, the ladies needed... well, they needed a tool that would allow them to search the vast and beautiful world wide web of information. "But where'd she get Peterson? Classmate? Best friend?" the blond sitting at the terminal wonders. "So..." she says, turning to the computer, "... I Binged it." Wait, what? You Binged it? Hmm... we've never heard that one before, though we have to say in this case, it seems like Bing really came through for the ladies, nailing down the information they were looking for with ease. It's quite an extended piece of advertising, really. But seriously... Binged? Guess it'll have to do. Video is after the break. [Thanks, Eva]
Motorola partners with Microsoft, will use Bing search and maps on Chinese Android phones
Uh, whoa. When we heard Google's threatened pullout of China had prompted Motorola to seek out an alternative search provider for its China-bound handsets, we can't say we were expecting a partnership with Microsoft to result. But here we are, staring at a press release announcing the Bing search and Maps will be the default on Moto's Chinese Android phones starting in Q1 -- and the partnership is described as "global," so there's a chance it could spread. That's just one more slap in Google's face from Moto, following the release of the Yahoo-powered AT&T Backflip -- and another step away from the tight relationship that produced the Droid. And does this mean Motorola might yet build a Windows Phone 7 Series device, despite a very public commitment to Android? We'd say Eric and Sanjay have some unresolved differences to work through.
Steve Ballmer compliments Apple, Hell freezes over
The Seattle Times is reporting that Steve Ballmer, who notoriously laughed at the iPhone, had some good things to say about it last week in a speech he gave at the computer-science building at the University of Washington. "Apple's done a very nice job that allows people to monetize and commercialize their intellectual property," he said. Ordinarily, a comment like this might not be significant, but in this case it adds fuel to the fire that Apple will replace Google with Bing as the default search engine in the next iPhone OS. Google and Apple are increasingly at odds and it's possible that Apple may see an alliance with Microsoft as a way to stave off Google's mobile growth. For Microsoft, a deal that puts Bing on the iPhone would be a huge win as mobile search is becoming increasingly common. Smart phones are becoming more mainstream and the iPhone is increasingly dominating the handset market. Currently Microsoft offers a Bing iPhone app. Whether Bing goes further on the iPhone remains to be seen because Ballmer, rather uncharacteristically, is staying mum. The Seattle Times cornered Ballmer after his speech and asked is there an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing going on, to which Ballmer just smiled, said he couldn't answer and climbed into his car.
Daimler's Smart Drive kit for iPhone gives you big buttons, a dent in your wallet
If you're one of the trendy hipsters driving a Smart Fortwo, here's another way of pimping up your ride: Daimler has announced a Q2 2010 launch for its Smart Drive kit for the iPhone. As pictured above, the kit consists of a cradle for handsfree communication plus charging, and an app that "combines all the features needed on the road" by the means of "extra-large buttons and extra-large letters." You'll get access to your usual music library (plus Internet radio), contacts, phone functions and map by Daimler (points-of-interest data from Microsoft Bing). There's also the handy "Assist" feature that can automatically mark your parking location when undocked, and can provide GPS coordinates to the Smart hotline for roadside assistance. What's more, Daimler's currently working on a camera for this kit that can identify speed limit signs, and can then warn you if you're speeding. Want it? You'll need to fork out a dear €240 ($326) for the cradle (which may or may not be necessary), then a one-off €9.99 ($14) for the app, and finally the optional annual €49.99 ($68) for on-board European and US maps plus live traffic data. We'll reconsider if the app can also start our car. [Thanks, Jason]
Google calls Apple "valuable partner"
Steve Jobs is trashing Google internally according to rumors, but Google is having none of it. Company reps told the press at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week that Google considers Apple "a very close and valuable partner," and that they believe that the relationship between the two companies "is stable." Of course, they were responding to rumors that Microsoft's Bing search engine would replace Google on the iPhone, and common sense will tell you that it'll be a cold day somewhere very warm before Apple chooses to partner with Microsoft over Google. If push came to shove, Steve would probably create his own search engine before partnering up with anyone in Redmond. But maybe the Google folks are also playing politics a little here -- Steve is not an unreasonable man, and he is known for being direct, especially in personal communication. Jobs can complain all he want in an internal meeting, but in public, it's probably best that Google takes the high road. Apple and Google may eventually have to show down over cell phones, but until they absolutely have to, it's probably better if they both play as nice as possible. [via Ars]
Photosynth creator walks us through Bing Maps, gives us a taste of augmented reality's future (video)
We were pretty stoked when we heard all about the new toys that Microsoft was adding to Bing Maps (Street View-esque navigation, Photosynth integration, crowd sourcing content, so on and so forth), and it looks like things are really coming together nicely. If you hop on past the break, we've thoughtfully embedded Blaise Aguera y Arcas' TED Talk where the Microsoft Live Labs architect and co-creator of Photosynth gives a sweet overview of the project as the foundation for a pretty robust augmented reality setup. The crowd gasps, applauds, and speaks in tongues repeatedly throughout the eight minute talk -- which is really what you'd expect from the Glenn Beck crowd, not the head of the technology, entertainment, and design fraternity (at least those who attend conferences). But don't take our word for it! Check it out and tell us what you think.
WSJ: Apple tablet to have books, games, music, TV, will make sandwiches
The Wall Street Journal just laid out a doozy of an Apple tablet rumor piece, all from anonymous sources, "people familiar with the matter," and the like. There's a lot to go through, so without further ado: The tablet will come with a virtual keyboard -- kind of a no-brainer if it's gonna be a keyboard-less tablet and not, say, another laptop. Apple's been talking with The New York Times, Conde Nast, and HarperCollins / News Corp. over how they could collaborate. When asked, NYT Chairman Arthur Sulzberger would only say "stay tuned." Electronic Arts has been working closely to prep games for the tablet. We know of a number of gaming journalists who've gotten invites to next week's event, and given Apple's heavy games push over the past year or so, this wouldn't surprise us in the least. A reaffirmation of earlier murmurings about potentially swapping Google for Bing as the default search engine. Maps, too! Those TV subscription rumors? Apparently the gang in Cupertino have been pitching a "best of TV" service that would package the best four to six shows per channel. A web-based version of iTunes, tentatively called iTunes.com and potentially launching in June, for buying music outside of the dedicated app. Additionally, there'd be a new initiative "to populate as many webs ites as possible with 'buy' buttons, integrating iTunes transactions into activities like listening to internet radio and surfing review web sites." No mention if music will be downloaded or streamed from the cloud, but we can definitely see how Apple's recent Lala acquisition would play into this in the future -- in fact, we've already seen it start to bear fruit. Here's a weird one: Apple has supposedly designed the tablet "so that it is intuitive to share." One such experiment is virtual sticky notes that launch for the intended recipient by facial recognition via built-in camera. If nothing else, we're really looking forward to next week putting a large clamp on the torrent of tablet rumors that have have propagated the internet for the last few months.
Rumor: Bing to be default search engine in iPhone OS 4.0?
One of the most surprising things about the next iPhone OS could be the default search engine. BusinessWeek is reporting that Apple is in talks with Microsoft to have Bing replace Google as the default search engine. It's becoming increasingly clear that Apple's main rival is not Microsoft, but Google. The Nexus One competes directly with the iPhone; Apple is allowing Google to use Lala, for now; and with Apple's purchase of Quattro Wireless and Google's acquisition of AdMob it seems each company is gearing to directly compete with the other in the mobile ad market. "Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy. Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle," says one of BusinessWeek's sources who is familiar with the matter. But this isn't just about Apple and Google. As the BusinessWeek article points out, clinching the coveted default spot on the iPhone would also help Bing gain market share in the quickly growing area of mobile search. 86% of mobile searches belonged to Google in November, according to the Nielsen Co. Only 11% belonged to Bing. For myself, I really like Bing. It took me a while to get used to it, but I think it has many advantages over Google, particularly the was it displays image search results. Microsoft also has a great Bing iPhone app [iTunes] that I find myself using more and more. While the Bing discussions have been going on for weeks, the source notes that the search switch may never materialize. Interestingly, the article also states that Microsoft may also be lobbying to make Bing an alternative on Apple's Safari browser for Mac users. Despite this, even if the Bing deal goes through, it may not last long. BusinessWeek's source says Apple has a "skunk works" looking at a search offering of its own, and believes that "if Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it's about buying itself time." In other words, Apple sees search in its future. %Poll-40267%
Apple bunging Bing search into iPhone?
Ready to get your Bing on, iPhone owners? That curious little Microsoft search engine you shrugged off just a few months ago could become a mainstay in your daily routine if BusinessWeek's sources are correct. According to a pair of persons familiar with the matter, Apple and Microsoft are discussing dropping Google as the default search engine on Apple's somewhat popular handset -- talks that have been underway for "weeks," apparently. BW paints the move as further evidence of an escalating rivalry between Apple and Google. In fact, one BW source claims that, "Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle." No doubt, the once cozy relationship has seemingly fractured with Google CEO Eric Schmidt vacating Apple's board and Apple recently snapping up Lala and Quattro Wireless -- acquisitions that some analysts see as defensive measures against a rapidly encroaching Google. Isn't competition fun?
Bada Bing! Microsoft delivers Bing search app
Search is really getting interesting these days. Microsoft late last night released Bing [iTunes link] for the iPhone -- a full featured free app offering search, movies, maps, and directions, all with voice control. It's notable that Microsoft is going after iPhone mind-share after Steve Ballmer famously dissed the iPhone more than 2 years ago. He's had to sit back and watch the iPhone eclipse Windows Mobile phones in the marketplace, which can't be pleasant, but business is business, and Microsoft is pushing the Bing search suite of tools hard. After spending some time with it last night and this morning, I can say that it works pretty well. I think on-screen it is more attractive than the Google Mobile app offering [iTunes link] and the voice control is about as accurate. On the Bing home screen there are direct links to images, movies, maps, businesses, news and directions. It inverts the Google method, where you do a search, then select, for example, images. I think I prefer the Bing hierarchy as being more logical. The voice search isn't perfect. It especially had trouble with addresses. You can use Bing, as you can Google Maps, as a low end navigation app, but of course no voice directions as yet. Some of the icons, like back and forward seem a bit too close together, but the icons are serviceable. Like Google, you can search for a business, then click to dial it directly, get directions, or read reviews. Business categories are well thought out, and easy to navigate. You can access an iPhone friendly version of Bing from Safari on the iPhone, but of course there is no voice input and it is more cumbersome to use, so I think having an app makes sense. For free, there is no reason not to download Bing and see if you like it. I'm hoping Microsoft will aggressively update the app, and continue to add features. I think if you grab it, you'll use it. Bing requires an iPhone and iPod touch with iPhone OS 3.0 or later. %Gallery-80436%
