Bing round-up: AMBER Alerts and new local features for mobile

As we head into the holidays, we have a few things to share with you that released this week.

AMBER Alerts
Following the abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in 1996, a national child abduction alert system called AMBER Alert was established in her honor. AMBER is eponymous, but it’s also an acronym – it stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. AMBER Alerts are disseminated though a variety of means including radio, TV, highway signs, SMS, mobile notifications and websites. Search is another natural way for these alerts to be disseminated. Today, we are announcing that Bing is integrating AMBER Alerts to help increase chances for a safe recovery of abducted children.

AMBER Alert

Bing is working with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to redistribute AMBER Alerts, after they have been issued by law enforcement, to Bing search users on demand. Active AMBER Alerts are now shown on Bing search page for queries which seek them. You’ll automatically see these alerts if you search for “amber alert” and you’re in a relevant geographical location or if you search for a specific location where an AMBER Alert is active like “amber alert Madison County MS.

As of Dec. 10, 2014, AMBER Alerts have helped rescue and safely return 723 abducted children. Take the time to look at AMBER Alerts and, if you have any info, take action by calling the phone number you find in the alert information.

Local answers for mobile
With 2015 inching closer, what’s a better way to ring in the New Year with family and friends than at a vibrant bar? Bing is making it easier to search, navigate and find rich information about your favorite bars, lounges and restaurants to help make your decisions faster on the go.

Over the last few weeks we have released a slew of features that will be handy on the go.

When you first search for a broad query like Bars in Capitol Hill Seattle, you will see an easy to use and beautiful “local answer” which shows you key information about the bar itself so you can make your decisions faster. It seems like The Lobby Bar has the best reviews.

Once you click on the bar’s name, it will show you some more details about the bar itself including a picture, Yelp reviews and social media information so you can get a quick representation of the place you’ll be having fun with you friends. You can also take quick action with the handy buttons that will allow you to call, get directions or visit the bar’s website.

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With the new changes, we have made it easier to search, learn and take actions on your favorite restaurants on your mobile device.

— The Bing Team