Bing for iPad Update: Searching Without a Search Box

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In April we released Bing for iPad and needless to say, we were humbled by the positive response we received. In the first three months, we had more than 5,000 ratings in the App Store and an average score of 4.7 stars (out of five stars). But what we really liked was all the great feedback on areas to improve and features to add.

We’re pleased to release an update to Bing for iPad, rolling out later today  in the app store. In this release we made some improvements that you asked for and are excited to introduce a new feature called Lasso. Designed for touch-friendly devices, Lasso is a new way to search with the touch of a finger.

From our research, we know that many searches are inspired by things people see on the web. Today, it can be somewhat painful to search on a tablet when you’re engaged in reading something; just copying and pasting pieces of text from a webpage to a search box can take up to nine steps on the iPad. With Lasso you can circle and search in just two steps.

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This release also includes: an improved movie experience that now lets you view multiple showtime days and theaters, the ability to swipe through the last six Bing homepage images, and hundreds of quality and performance improvements based on what we heard from you.

If you’re already using Bing for iPad, you should see an update for it in the App Store. Otherwise, you can download it here later today.

What you’re seeing today is only the beginning. Lasso moves Bing beyond the search box. Although it will only be available in Bing for iPad to begin with, we’re already thinking about how to take Lasso even further – so stay tuned.

As always, we’d love to hear what you think, so keep the feedback coming!

Tony Chor

Group Program Manager, Bing