Microsoft has released a new Bing mobile App for iPhone and Android devices. Surprisingly, it has not done so for its own mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7.
The new update uses HTML5, this means that users will get the same experience whether they are using the app or are accessing it through m.bing.com from their browser.
On the new app, the company says, “Rather than tightly binding functions into a mobile client, we want to embrace the drive towards exposing our functions via an HTML5 experience”.
The update includes several new features such as maps/List Split View. This means that users can synchronise a list, such as business listings and directions and a map, in a single view making it easy to see the location of what you’re searching for. Also, it provides driving directions and transit.
There is a new deals option which offers one-stop deal shopping and convenient mobile phone access for local deals from more than 100 deal providers, but this is currently available for USA only.
Microsoft has also added a video domain, which was launched last month on m.bing, and is now available on iPhone.
The Android app now features transit routing/real-time transit and news, all these features were previously only available on m.bing.com only.
The new app is currently available for iPhone devices and select Android devices in the United States. A version for RIM and Windows Phone 7 devices will be launched in the future but no timeline has been shared.
Users can go to the Android Market or iPhone App store to download the latest version. Once downloaded, future updates of the app will arrive automatically to the device. Users in India will not be able to enjoy the experience fully as the maps and deals section will not be available, however videos can certainly be enjoyed.