Microsoft Employees Tweet Bing 2.0 Excitement

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

Bing 2.0 could hit the web as early as next week, according to tweets from Microsoft employees.

ZDNet reports that Microsoft employees currently in Seattle for the company's annual meeting are all tweeting about Bing 2.0, which is coming 'this month.' One staffer in attendance even went as far as to say we'll see the next version of Bing next week.

“BING 2.0 terrific !! watch out guys ! bing + silverlight in maps = amazing !! goodbye google” read one tweet.

Another employee tweeted Microsoft's plans to add new features to maps: “Bing 2.0, out this month, has some exciting new features. Imagine seeing maps plus pics from the neighborhood of a restaurant to try. “

Despite its oh so lame jingle and the fact that Microsoft insists on calling it a "decision making engine," a lot of people actually quite like Bing. While there's not a whole lot to go on aside from a ballpark for the launch, those of you who've made the change from Google to Bing can look forward to Silverlight in maps as well among other things.

How many of you are regular Bing users? Let us know in the comments below.

Jane McEntegart
29 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Steven Bancroft
    "Another employee tweeted Microsoft's plans to add new features to maps: “Bing 2.0, out this month, has some exciting new features. Imagine seeing maps plus pics from the neighborhood of a restaurant to try."

    Doesnt google call that streetview?
    Reply
  • dark4phoenix
    I never use Bing. Long live Google
    Reply
  • deathr
    I think that Google is better than Bing
    Reply
  • hellwig
    Can I officially use Silverlight in Opera yet? Until that happens (or until Microsoft drops Silverlight), their websites won't oft be visited by my browser.

    With Opera 10 out (something not reported by Tom's, but we get plenty of updates on Firefox betas), I'm hoping support will soon come from Microsoft.
    Reply
  • davehcyj
    @dark4phoenix -- alot of people said I never use Google. Long live Yahoo when google first came on the scene

    @NegativeX -- I agree with you. Bing's results seem to be smarter or more relevant, but I still use Google for a lot of things.
    Reply
  • danish_2828
    I use Bing quite a bit. Especially since they started Bing Cash Back. Nothing like starting a search for best prices on something and then Bing gives an extra 10% cash back through my Paypal account. It was nice just purchasing the D-Link gaming router for $130 with Newegg promo code and then getting another 10% cashback because I went through Bing to find the item. Awesome
    Reply
  • Major7up
    Bing 2.0...didn't they just release 1.0? Shouldn't this version really be Bing 1.0 Service Pack 1? And Silverlight???? Come on Microsoft, we already have to install enough crap/plug-ins on our computers so why can't you just use existing stuff rather than trying to go off and invent your own? F**k Silverlight, whenever I come across a site that uses it I leave immediately as a matter of protest.
    Reply
  • itadakimasu
    so.... is it going to let you zoom in super high def on maps?

    automatically update information on the maps, so that when i google stuff I don't get vacant store locations when I arrive?
    Reply
  • fazers_on_stun
    I use Bing almost exclusively now as it pretty much finds what I want more easily than Google. However Google is my #2 choice - not Yahoo.

    Silverlight seems to be the alternative to Flash, minus all the annoying virus-fix updates :D.
    Reply
  • dman3k
    When I know what I'm looking for, I use Bing because that gives me better results. When I don't know what exactly I'm looking for, I use Google for its randomness. I do find myself using Bing much more often because I usually do know what I'm looking for. But, sometimes, you just don't know what somethings are actually called until someone throws them at you. (And sometimes, even if someone throw them at you, you still don't know what they are called!)
    Reply