Verizon pushing Bing app to BlackBerry Storm

(Credit: Microsoft)

Just days after Microsoft cranked out a touch-optimized Bing search page for touch screen phones comes another announcement for mobile searchers. Microsoft on Monday reported that Verizon will roll out the first Bing mobile app to BlackBerry Storm 1 users. The Bing mobile app already comes preloaded on the BlackBerry Storm 2.

After Verizon pushes Bing for mobile, Storm owners should be able to click the icon in the program list to get started.

In addition to search are features carried over from a former incarnation of Microsoft's search app, Windows Live for mobile, such as voice search, and a map that includes driving directions, traffic details, and a location feature to search your whereabouts. There's also a way to save favorite searches, and to quickly get at local searches.

We first encountered a variation of the Bing app on Windows Mobile 6.5 phones. While many features are nearly identical to the Windows Live mobile app, the refreshed search engine should produce more accurate results.

[mrcjacobs]

This isn't surprising since Microsoft signed a deal to be the search provider for Verizon quite some time ago. The app 1st started appearing about a week ago. It's not installed automatically and requires the user to actually download it after the link appears on their homescreen. I might add that you'll only see it if you do a battery pull on your Storm and you have your device set so that all apps appear.

[bonesbautista]

As a (soon-to-be-former) Storm 1 owner looking at the upcoming WinMo and Android offerings, it's this kind of hoohuckey filler that's ticking me off. The S1 doesn't have that much memory in the first place. The only pushed app that's worth the time and space is Slacker.

Bing Mobile's PITA interface and 7 YO aerial maps (and older!) make this a head-shaker.

Verizon - leave your PDAs and BBs freakin' alone!

[sting7k]

Where's the iPhone app for Bing Mobile?

[lazycat202]

Apple.com. it's replacement for Bing.com :)

[kt2005]

It's already on the Storm 1, it's included in the 5.0 update.

I actually found it useful, albiet a lil slow. But it's faster than using a web browser to lookup phone numbers or local businesses. Bonnie Cha said it crashed while using the Bing app, but I've had no problems so far. Maybe that's a Storm 2 issue, not sure.

[newPCgadgets]

The Comfort Base is a great desktop stand for the Storm. Found it at www.newpcgadgets.com

[AZadvertising]

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[newPCgadgets]

For a desktop holder I would recommend the Comfort Base from www.newpcgadgets.com.