Bing is King for Browsing iPhone Apps?

**Michael Essany** · 09-16-2009, 05:19 AM

Image via Mashable

It sounds like a work of fiction - Microsoft allowing and supporting a way for people to browse and search iPhone apps?! Can't be true, right? Wrong. If you're somewhat surprised, you're not alone. The people at CNET seem a little astonished too.

There's a new way to search for iPhone apps, and it comes from the unlikeliest of sources: Microsoft. The new Bing Visual Search engine, announced yesterday, includes a special gallery section that spotlights iPhone apps.

Almost seems like a sign of the apocalypse doesn't it?

The new Bing Visual Search engine has the look and feel of a digital jukebox at your local watering hole - complete with jumbo app icons that can be flipped through like a box of old records in the attic. And a description pops up when you mouse over the app of your choice, along with price, category, and other vital info.

I have to admit, both the look and functionality of this feature are really impressive. The obvious drawback, of course, is that only a fraction (500, in all) of the Apple app catalog is available for browsing through Bing. Everything is categorized by Bing's search filters and broken down into titled chunks like "top ten free" or "top ten paid," etc.

In any case, it's interesting to see Microsoft putting any kind of spotlight on the iPhone. And it would be more interesting still if this gallery ramped up to, say, 5,000 apps. Then it would be more than just a fun diversion; it would have some bona fide practical value.

Although some are saying today that Microsoft has developed a better interface for browsing iPhone applications than Apple itself, I won't go that far. But even if Bing isn't the best place to explore iPhone apps, it may still be the coolest-looking search portal so far.

And, no matter how you slice it, that's a win-win for consumers.

**BlackWolf** · 09-16-2009, 05:42 AM

alright, awesome ... how do I get there? searching bing for "iphone apps" doesn't turn up anything

**LittleJob** · 09-16-2009, 05:42 AM

someones desperate...

**BlackWolf** · 09-16-2009, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by LittleJob

someones desperate...

sure .. I mean it's not like I have itunes installed or anything to browse iphone apps

edit: haha, thought that was directed at me ^^ whatever

**gumby579** · 09-16-2009, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by LittleJob

someones desperate...

Except Microsoft isn't making any money off of the Apps, only generating usage for the search engine. I doubt highly that a lot of people are going to use Bing instead of iTunes to search for the Apps, but either way, it's good to see Microsoft "bury the hatchet" if you will. Given, we will probably never see Zune software supporting an Apple product, but this is a step in the forward direction right?

**thu6** · 09-16-2009, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by BlackWolf

alright, awesome ... how do I get there? searching bing for "iphone apps" doesn't turn up anything

Visual Search Galleries - Bing

**keysloser** · 09-16-2009, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by gumby579

Except Microsoft isn't making any money off of the Apps, only generating usage for the search engine.

OMG does Microsoft secretly have Apple shares or even worse does the evil empire that cursed us with windows pull the Apple strings? That would explain a lot...

OOOPS sorry, just woke up on my paranoid side...

**JustinPizzle** · 09-16-2009, 06:58 AM

OMG does Microsoft secretly have Apple shares or even worse does the evil empire that cursed us with windows pull the Apple strings? That would explain a lot...

OOOPS sorry, just woke up on my paranoid side...

they work closer then you think, windows has a mac team, and apple has a windows team.
very small, but works on **** like compatibility and basic networking ect..

**nikhilr51** · 09-16-2009, 07:45 AM

Let's try that again
That web page doesn't exist. Let's see if we can help you find what you are looking for.

**Amraam** · 09-16-2009, 08:06 AM

Personally I think MS is the bigger man. Can you honestly ever see Apple doing the same for MS? I can't, because Apple want to dominate the market and to have everything their way.

Just look at flash, iTunes syncing, DRM (OK that's gone now, but it was a joke at the time)...

**griesgram** · 09-16-2009, 08:13 AM

I think bing.com/visualsearch is not everywhere available. I cant open the webpage in Switzerland.

**rwin84** · 09-16-2009, 08:17 AM

Do you think Gates and Jobs are playing in their garage together again?!? Stevens life altering health issues may have rekindled their old flame...

BTW I went to bing.com and was unable to turn up that pretty little interface that is pictured at the top of this thread...

**thetoothfairy** · 09-16-2009, 09:54 AM

I personally think since the Vista sega that Bill and Steve or Windows and Mac's will work together and will continue to work together. Look at how you can install windows on a Mac right now?

I went here
Visual Search Galleries - Bing

Once I got to that page on the site I was notified that I had to install Silverlight so I did and once the install was finished I went back to the site and clicked on top iphone apps to view that area first.... all I can say is this is VERY tastefully done! If you install Silverlight make sure you do it while your browser if closed because this is a plugin for your browser....

I enjoy this site very well and the experience to!

**Amraam** · 09-16-2009, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by thetoothfairy

I personally think since the Vista sega that Bill and Steve or Windows and Mac's will work together and will continue to work together. Look at how you can install windows on a Mac right now?

I went here
Visual Search Galleries - Bing

Once I got to that page on the site I was notified that I had to install Silverlight so I did and once the install was finished I went back to the site and clicked on top iphone apps to view that area first.... all I can say is this is VERY tastefully done! If you install Silverlight make sure you do it while your browser if closed because this is a plugin for your browser....

I enjoy this site very well and the experience to!

That link doesn't work for me

**vinaygoel2000** · 09-16-2009, 10:49 AM

HERE'S THE LINK: Top iPhone apps - Bing

**stickyd8** · 09-16-2009, 11:45 AM

Could it possibly be a way of gathering information on Apple Apps so it knows which apps to target for it's own app store for the Zune? It makes no sense for them to support it so easily.

I'm sure it also has something to do with getting everyone to install Silverlight onto their computer/lap top........that's the only way you can use the visual search for the iPhone apps.

**travis_t80** · 09-16-2009, 11:55 AM

Again, here is the link.
IT REQUIRES SILVERLIGHT

Click here

**BingAaron** · 09-16-2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by nikhilr51

Let's try that again
That web page doesn't exist. Let's see if we can help you find what you are looking for.

Originally Posted by griesgram

I think bing.com/visualsearch is not everywhere available. I cant open the webpage in Switzerland.

Originally Posted by rwin84

BTW I went to bing.com and was unable to turn up that pretty little interface that is pictured at the top of this thread...

Originally Posted by Amraam

That link doesn't work for me

Hi guys - Bing Visual Search beta is only available in US right now. I know it's a bummer, but if you want to take it for a test drive, there is a way around. Here's a great post on how to do it: Reaching Out to Microsoft Partners in Australia : Bing Visual Search ? how to make it work in Australia

Cheers,

Aaron
Bing Team

**Lolski** · 09-16-2009, 01:15 PM

Anyone here use Bing?

**csworrell** · 09-16-2009, 01:20 PM

I did not know that burger king had anything to do with apple.

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