Microsoft Bing Search and Maps Heads to Android… For Verizon Phones

by Quentyn Kennemer on August 30th, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Microsoft’s today announced the official availability of the Bing app for Android. The app – which is free to download – will only show up in your Android market if you’re using a Verizon phone so don’t get too mad if you can’t find it (that would also tip us off to the fact that you didn’t actually read the article carefully).

bing-android

It brings with it voice-enabled (and text-enabled, naturally) search as well as maps for those that just can’t seem to fit on the Google bandwagon. I give Microsoft credit, though: that image search sure is a lot prettier and sounds a lot more intuitive than what we’re used to seeing with Google (even after the mobile overhaul). There’s a lot more to be had, but I can’t give any impressions as I can’t try the app out for myself. If you’re on Verizon and fancy Microsoft’s Bing over Google, be sure to give us your thoughts below!

[Bing via Androinica]

  • jdog

    Its a trap

  • jdog

    Its funny because when Windows phone 7 was shown a guy asked so can we use Google as the default search engine and the windows guy NO almost like he wanted to say HELL NO.

  • Keller

    Screw off quentyn. Don’t ever give microfuck credit in front of me again. They can piss off, and you should move over to winmo 7. Google ftw.

  • Dogsby

    Gay

  • matt

    whats the point if not everyone can enjoy it?!

  • pieter

    damn keller. i get that this site is called phandroid, but the fanboyism is pouring out of your ears, boy.
    gotta keep those emotions in check.
    i’m still very happy with google search, but it does sound like bing isn’t doing too bad.

  • Chance

    Wow Keller, a little upset huh? Did mommy not fix you your bowl of cereal this morning?

  • Josh

    WOOHOO! Competition is ALWAYS a good thing! IMO, this just means that Google’s mobile search will have a few nice modifications in the near future :)

  • Eli

    Options are always good. Its just no good when a provider locks users into a particular one.

  • Daniel

    Wow, two things I care absolutely nothing about! Bing and Verizon.

  • Jason

    Installed in on my Samsung Captivate. Used MarketAccess app to set my SIM numeric to 310004 (Verizon) and installed it straight from the Android Market. Looks cool so far.

  • scott4fire

    Huh… I’ll check it out, but doubt it has more to offer than Google at this point. Happy it’s being put out there though… because as Josh stated, competition will bring improvements for all – and sooner.

  • ranova

    Already released for other android phones:
    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=769443

  • Tony

    I would like to have Bing search on my Nexus One. Too bad for me, I guess.

  • Zach

    I thought Verizon and Google had an exclusive partnership?

  • MG

    So far it seems good, no real complaints. I do personally think the maps look a bit nicer than google but don’t really see myself using Bing Maps being that I don’t use Google Maps. Add some Bing Navigation and it’s a winner.

  • yoaj

    @Josh.

    100% agree.
    competition drives innovation.

  • Jason

    Tony, if your Nexus One is rooted all you have to do is run MarketAccess, set your SIM numeric as I mentioned above, and install Bing from the market. That’s how I installed it on my Captivate.

  • Luke

    Bro its even easier than that I downloaded my market app, switched to show verizon apps and put it on my Tmo N1. Its lame though gonna uninstall it.

  • Simon

    I’m all one for competition, but hope Verizon customers get a choice instead of just being locked to a Bing search engine instead of the google widget.

  • Skunkpbguy

    Bing this!

  • http://Mensahwatts.com Mensahwatts

    Yeah coolish to allow such a app I mean the way the
    Win mo os is sucking…this is smart move even though Google is over Bing much…much

  • Manny Fresh

    Could someone sell me on BIng please. I am very interested in the Fascinate!

  • RRT

    Bing SUCKS ass!!! I checked out my house on bing maps and it showed how it looked 10 years ago as a new community being built!!! Also looked at old residence and showed my car I traded in 3 years ago parked in driveway…A little outdated? I think SO!!! Way to GO BING!!! Verizon once again has failed!!!!

  • RRT

    Bing SUCKS ass!!! I checked out my house on bing maps and it showed how it looked 10 years ago as a new community being built!!! Also looked at old residence and showed my car I traded in 3 years ago parked in driveway…A little outdated? I think SO!!! Way to GO BING!!! Verizon once again has failed!!!! Way to go VERIZON…

  • Contraus

    Ever since my Xbox 360 got the RROD, and then my friend’s Xbox 360 got the RROD, and then my other friend’s Xbox 360 got the RROD…I’ve been like, “Fuck Microshit!” We now have 3 dead Xbox 360s out of 4. That’s a 75% failure rate. Congrats on the QC Microshit.

  • Storm14K aka Phil

    I’m with Keller…to hell with Microsuck. I wonder if they will allow a Google app on their phone lol.

  • http://www.eglencekeyfi.com muhabbet

    Liked SmartKnitKids on FB and left comment fb name Lori Thomas

  • Peter

    If Bing maps for Android has a feature that Bing Maps on the PC has, namely that it can find “best route based on traffic”, I would love it! Google maps can’t do that.

  • http://www.thedietsolutionprogramweb.info/the-diet-solution-program/ the diet solution program

    Rattling good visual appeal on this web site , I’d value it 10 10.



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