Microsoft it seems had run out of names to use for it search engine. First it was MSN Search then, Microsoft Search, followed by the awkward Live Search (or was it Windows Live Search?). Rumours were circulating about a certain project Kumo as Microsofts answer to Google and before people could figure out what language Kumo was from, there came Microsofts announcement on June 1st. Bing was live.
Bing was fomenting for a long time in Microsofts backyard and came out front after Microsofts ambitious takeover of Powersoft with its semantic search systems. Bing put those skills to good use with its results turning out pretty much, as accurate as Google on certain sets of keywords such as Paris Hilton or Arnold Schwarzenegger with an xRank feature indicating their popularity, But Bing does turn out some wonderfully vague results with more complex questions like I think Im going to die something Google avoids by bringing up links to self help pages.
The explorer section which opens in the left pane after each search query gives a list of related searches tied to the keyword, using Microsoft's last year acquisition, Powersets semantic technology. But it only recognizes the most popular or a certain Binged list of keywords and turns them out on top. Searches with keywords like, I hate puppies turned out absolutely no related searches, while Michael Jackson was a search favorite with an incredibly detailed list of his videos, songs and more.
Images and video searches have definitely improved over Live, with image searches yielding pop-up thumbnails, offering links to similar images. The biggest improvement however, is the Video search functionality which allows you to play videos inside the search engine with a simple mouse hover. The video search however, has the drawback of playing any videos that the search brings up. Disabling the safe search feature allows instant access to thousands of porn videos, which play in the browser, making Microsoft's attempt to make Bing popular, a little under handed.
Bing Travel, an amalgam of MSN travel and Farecast has a smooth interface with the ability to check for the cheapest flights available and a price grading for your ticket, telling you to buy a ticket if its going to get cheaper. However expect some changes in the layout and interface, since Kayak has rightly claimed that the site design is too similar to its own.
Lastly News and Maps could definitely use some tweaking as they are way behind Googles international standards and local penetration. Bing it seems is currently geared towards a more American audience with almost all listings for travel, news and shopping reverting to USA. This can loose Microsoft some valued customers in its ambitious plans to target local populations. Bing might get better at handling searches, but it really needs to give the larger international audience access to its best features Travel, Shopping and decisive searches.
Bing was fomenting for a long time in Microsofts backyard and came out front after Microsofts ambitious takeover of Powersoft with its semantic search systems. Bing put those skills to good use with its results turning out pretty much, as accurate as Google on certain sets of keywords such as Paris Hilton or Arnold Schwarzenegger with an xRank feature indicating their popularity, But Bing does turn out some wonderfully vague results with more complex questions like I think Im going to die something Google avoids by bringing up links to self help pages.
The explorer section which opens in the left pane after each search query gives a list of related searches tied to the keyword, using Microsoft's last year acquisition, Powersets semantic technology. But it only recognizes the most popular or a certain Binged list of keywords and turns them out on top. Searches with keywords like, I hate puppies turned out absolutely no related searches, while Michael Jackson was a search favorite with an incredibly detailed list of his videos, songs and more.
Images and video searches have definitely improved over Live, with image searches yielding pop-up thumbnails, offering links to similar images. The biggest improvement however, is the Video search functionality which allows you to play videos inside the search engine with a simple mouse hover. The video search however, has the drawback of playing any videos that the search brings up. Disabling the safe search feature allows instant access to thousands of porn videos, which play in the browser, making Microsoft's attempt to make Bing popular, a little under handed.
Bing Travel, an amalgam of MSN travel and Farecast has a smooth interface with the ability to check for the cheapest flights available and a price grading for your ticket, telling you to buy a ticket if its going to get cheaper. However expect some changes in the layout and interface, since Kayak has rightly claimed that the site design is too similar to its own.
Lastly News and Maps could definitely use some tweaking as they are way behind Googles international standards and local penetration. Bing it seems is currently geared towards a more American audience with almost all listings for travel, news and shopping reverting to USA. This can loose Microsoft some valued customers in its ambitious plans to target local populations. Bing might get better at handling searches, but it really needs to give the larger international audience access to its best features Travel, Shopping and decisive searches.
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