Archive for: bing
- September 6, 2011 8:40 pm
Internet users looking for a legitimate real-time search engine can fine safe haven with Microsoft’s Bing. After rumors began circulating earlier this summer of a potential $30 million deal between Microsoft and Twitter comes news today that the two have officially partnered once again. The specific details of the renewed deal were not divulged, nonetheless it is the end result that is most important — continued real-time search results in Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
Google and Microsoft had similar offerings in the real-time search business until a few months ago. A couple months back Google chose not to renew a deal with Twitter. While unfortunate initially, it paves the way for a better Google product — the news of Google and Twitter’s fallout was before Google released Google+, a quickly growing social network. With a setup that allows it to operate in a very Twitter-like way, it’s very possible Google purposely pushed Twitter out in order to make room for future integration of Google+ content within Google search results, instantly making Google+ content a lot more useful, relevant and important.
Joining the ranks of Verizon’s LTE speed freaks, the LG Revolution released a few weeks ago, and we’ve finally gotten a chance to review it. While it’s LTE radio makes it stand out from the rest of the Android world, does this monster pack enough punch to be remembered as truly revolutionary or will it just be totally forgettable? Jump on in for more…
Microsoft hasn’t always released the coolest, most “hip” consumer oriented products. Nor have they even gotten as far as choosing a clever and catchy name that didn’t sound dorky or “pushed too hard”. Lucky for us, they did alright with their search engine Bing, for it was almost “Bang”. Now being the somewhat mentally unstable person that I am, hearing of a search engine named “Bang” has failure written all over it. Take these few light hearted examples:
- Don’t know much about Mrs. Obama? Bang her.
- No idea on the true size of a fully grown female water buffalo? Bang it!
- Need a splendid new apple pie recipe for Easter? Bang it!
Yes, Bing could have been Bang and all hell would have broken lose. Just think of all the money Microsoft would have thrown in the trash if they actually went forward with Bang, only to have to re-educate people once they renamed the search engine so it’s verb could actually be used in church. Good job Microsoft. You avoided the but of our jokes for the day.
AlleyInsider
- January 28, 2010 12:58 pm
After Google’s whole humanitarian/free speech move a couple weeks ago, the tech world and world at large has been divided. Some have applauded Google for “doing the right thing” finally coming to their senses — that is, censorship in any form sucks and shouldn’t be supported. Others however have had a less favorable view with many people labeling Google as a bunch of hypocrites with false motives. Personal opinions aside, someone as large as Google standing up for “the good guys” was bound to bring other companies out of the pro-free speech woodwork. Companies such as Twitter.
During a recent event at the World Economic Forum in is Switzerland, Twitter co-founder Evan Williams spoke on how Twitter is actively exploring 3rd party channels for ways to circumvent and overcome oppressive internet filters — such filters that are most widely used in China and Iran. Being able to stick it to the man if you will would allow free and unfettered speech from inside some of the more turbulent areas of the world and give outsiders a true, real-time window into the lives of the people that live them half a planet away.
Now, compare that to Microsoft’s stance. What do you see? While Microsoft is obviously jumping for joy at the possibility of a new and cash filled market in China, especially now that Google’s gone, do the underlying humans rights issues and big bad censorship thing overshadow any monetary benefit? For Google, Twitter, and a growing number of other companies, the answer is yes.
The Chinese government maintains that there isn’t any “Great Firewall” and that they have a free and open internet. If you believe that, *insert expletive laden comment here*. In the truest sense, their internet may be “open” in a kind of distorted way, though China strictly enforces their laws and regulations on ISP’s. The punishments and fines are so great that no one dare let something through that shouldn’t. And so, the “Great Firewall” does stand tall.
Google probably won’t be the last to leave China. Twitter will have others join their cause, trying to “hack” their way around any false boundary, firewall, or net nanny. Nor will Microsoft be the only company to potentially cash in on everyone else’s moral trip. For the end user, it’s nothing more than a drama unfolding before our eyes. Except this time, instead of a few characters being pulled around in life, entire countries and whole companies are involved in this love/hate game.
After that rather lengthy side note, Do Twitter and Google’s actions seem to be a growing trend or is it more of a simple “moral trip” by two companies that happen to be in the same business? Do you think they’re making a bad decision pulling out of China or trying to evade censorship laws and policies? The real question is however, does Google and Twitters’ voiced opinions and stance make Microsoft’s depict them as communist loving, oppression supporting greedy bastards?
Inquirer
[Image Source]
- December 17, 2009 9:05 pm
Wireless carriers form partnerships and deals with various 3rd parties all of the time. For sake of the next 35 seconds of your life, we’re going to focus on the software side of things. If you happen to have a BlackBerry running on Verizon, fire up the ‘ol BB Browser running the latest firmware and take a look in the search box. Chances are you’ll see “Bing” in grayed out incognito colors. RIM going Bing only is one possibility. Though so is a Verizon/Microsoft search deal as well. Whichever the case, having to manually select Google or Yahoo as an alternate search provider each time you were doing a search would be enough of a pain. Too bad there isn’t any option to even switch to a new search engine. Not one. Nadda. Not that anyone uses the BB Browser for any hardcore mobile browsing escapades anyway….
BGR
- December 15, 2009 10:40 pm
Say what you will about Microsoft and Bing (ok, both are questionable) but Redmond’s ultra new Bing search app for iPhone is hot — at least visually speaking that is. While the styling is simplistic yet modern and basically feels right at home on the iPhone platform, it is actually pretty lust worth from someone with an eye for visual candy. I’m curious to see how many times (if multiple attempts were needed) to get a design tat was up to Apple’s standards before they’d approve it. Speaking of which, we were pretty much guaranteed a Bing app. Any more shifty ban hammers on seemingly innocent apps, much less a competitors app, would unleash even more crap from pandora’s box.
Feature wise, it’s pretty standard fair that’s to be expected of a top of the line search provider. Opening the app will present users with the same colorful and eye catching backgrounds found on the desktop variant, voice search options, and six search categories to choose from:
I’ve been messing around with Bing for iPhone for roughly 20 minutes and now and don’t have anything bad to or negative to say. On that note, how would you feel if Microsoft started going all gung-ho on the iPhone platform and increasingly turning it’s back on WinMo? Interesting topic starter. Have at it.
MocoNews
When trying to navigate the vast landscape of the internet, search engines are no doubt one of the easiest and most useful tools. Here in the states, there are two main players — Google and Microsoft’s “Bing”. Google holds a majority market share though Bing is holding their own, slowly inching up month by month. Bing isn’t Microsoft’s first attempt at search but is by far their most successful. Perhaps it’s the improved searching algorithms. Or maybe, just maybe it’s all of those pretty wallpapers that cycle through the background of Bing’s page. Maybe you don’t like Bing, use Google, and just want a prettier Google experience. Well, now you can with “Skinggle“.
What at first sounds like some sort of x-rated toy is in fact a nifty website that allows users to skin Google with user generated pictures. Each time you visit the page you’re greeted with a different background. I’ll give the creators credit, while it isn’t nearly as good as a solution straight from Google, it is a clever and ingenious way to give Google a more customizable and personal flare. So the question is, would you use Skinggle on a daily basis or is it more of a novelty thing that will fade away after awhile?
Pocket-Lint
From the screenshots above and below, one might come away thinking that the up and coming Bing Mobile is nothing but a *very slightly* freshened up Live Search with a nice new logo and name slapped on it. And at first glance they’d be right. However, while some will knock the rather “old” look that has been around for some time now, functionally speaking, Live Search was not a bad app or service at all. You all know the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. It seems that is the approach Redmond is taking with Bing Mobile. Furthermore, Live Search featured voice search and location based support quite some time before Google did meaning Microsoft is completely behind the times.
While Microsoft loves pushing their own in house products, this latest revelation is quite disheartening and downright rude. According to The Next Report, IE 6 users are facing a rather nasty forced decision when it comes to search engine preference. It appears that any attempts to switch the default search engine to any search engine other than Bing, results in a big fat error. While some may say big deal, who uses IE 6 anyway? Well in actuality it is a huge deal. No one should determine on my computer what I can or can’t use. Not to mention, the fact that IE 6 is still being used is ridiculous. People using that browser might as well be broadcasting their social security number, bank account numbers and any other valuable information as the browser is chock full of security holes, not to mention hardly meets any web standards. Since Microsoft has had their fair share of antitrust cases for reasons much like this, it’s hard to believe this was deliberate, instead being a rare occurrence and bug. Currently, Big M is working on a solution as this reeks of anti-trust. Hopefully Microsoft figures out a solution quick.
Source: Tech Crunch, Image Source
