Microsoft Bing Goes Visual
In an attempt to add something to make it different from Google, Microsoft has added a “visual search” to its Bing search engine, reports BBC News Online. It means users will be able to look at the results of searches using pictures instead of text.
Microsoft says the ability to search visually will concentrate on four main areas for a start: travel, health, leisure and shopping. Microsoft added that the world of searching is set to change.
Investors say that the competition between Google and Microsoft is good news for consumers as “competition breeds innovation” (Ron Conway – investor).
Microsoft launched the beta version of the visual search tool at TechCrunch 50 in San Francisco and claims it allows users to carry out some searches quicker than a traditional image search, which is the search offered by Google. Microsoft claims results are processed 20% faster than text only results.
As the search facility is still in the test stage only a few topics will be available to search visually and these will include entertainment, shopping and sports.
Source and further details: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8256046.stm