Microsoft Bing comes to the iPhone

Bing is gaining in popularity

Mobile workers could benefit from a new Bing application launched for the iPhone and iPod touch yesterday, which features new enhancements in voice search and location-based services.

The new app, available free of charge from the App Store, includes voice search capabilities which have already found their way onto Windows mobiles and BlackBerry devices, according to an official Bing blog posting.

"Just say 'San Francisco weather' for a quick result, or even say a full address for a map or directions," explained the blog posting.

"Try something complex, like '1 Microsoft Way, Redmond 98052' (Yes, I know how to get to work). Hold the phone to your ear and speak, or press the mic button. Simple."

The Bing app will also be able to locate nearby restaurants, banks, theatres and other places of interest by category, and display walking or driving directions.

"We've got smooth mapping action," the blog continues. "Swipe through each step of the directions, and check out how fast the map pans and zooms. (Techies take note: we use Seadragon technology for some of this.) For times when you only have one hand free and can't pinch, there is a handy zoom-out button."

Finally, an uncluttered home page includes the Bing search bar and six " clickable hotspots" to take the user to images, movies, maps, businesses, news and directions.