All the buzz over here amongst the digerati is about the upcoming launch of Microsoft's new/revamped search engine, “Bing,” that will be released June 3. It promises to deliver more than the customary list of results when called upon to do a search; it is "more of a decision engine," according to Microsoft SVP Yusuf Mehdi.
As usual, everyone will be trying to work out exactly what the meaning of the name is. (Perhaps “bling” would have had more of a cachet for those enamored of Rap. It's much better, of course, than Microsoft's boring "Live Search.") Plus, the sixty four million dollar question of the day is whether Bing can ever begin to make any inroads against Google's dominance.
And the other, really big question, is whether or not it will end the by now, very boring, Microsoft-Yahoo search on-again, off-again courtship?
By some accounts, Bing seems like it would be more useful than a Google or Yahoo search. If you're searching for something you'd like to buy, for example, Bing theoretically will serve up reviews, as well as places to buy the item and related accessories, laid out in a glitzier and more organized way than just a simple vertical list of links. Search for a movie star, and Bing shows you ways to refine your search by movie, images, or quotes, among other things. Below that, you get a list of related searches, such as searches for who that actor might be dating. Bing supposedly will add more features as it continues to try to provide more context with each search.
Who knows? For years, Microsoft has been hammered for always being a follower, rather than an innovator. But even you die-hard Apple freaks have to acknowledge, they still manage to come up with *** that 80% of the world’s population is prepared to shell out the bucks for!
Doubtful.
George Parker
Blogging for:
Member since: 03 Jun 2008
Last login: 17 Nov 2009
Total Posts: 831
