Verizon Wireless supports touch optimized Microsoft Bing
Published: 3 November, 2009
READ MORE: US | Microsoft | Verizon | Applications (Search) | Windows Mobile
Microsoft disappointed last month when it failed to debut the smartphone version of its Bing search engine, but has now followed through, and won support from Verizon Wireless, as the carrier continues to move from its super-controlled traditional strategy to an open web approach.
Close ties to open web players was evident in Verizon's launch of its first Android handset, the Droid, which featured strong homescreen support for Google apps such as Voice and the new Maps Navigation. Now the carrier is further fragmenting its mobile apps strategy, adding Bing to its own-branded and Google search options.
Verizon will roll out the first preloaded and tightly integrated smartphone version of Bing, and not for a Windows Mobile handset either, but for the BlackBerry Storm 2, one of the flagships of the carrier's holiday line-up. Users of Storm 1 will also be able to download the app, which is optimized for touchscreens.
In addition to search, Bing incorporates features from Microsoft's last - and unlamented - search app, Windows Live for Mobile. These include voice search, and a map that includes driving directions, traffic details and location awareness. Like Google, Microsoft is ramping up the location features of its engine, and promising more accurate and personalized search results. A new feature is Movies, which enables users to search for films playing nearby, providing showtimes, trailers and video clips.
The touchscreen optimized release of Bing is also available for download to the iPhone, HTC G1 (Android) and Imagio (Windows Mobile), Samsung Omnia (also WinMo) and Microsoft's own Zune HD music player.
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