How to Enable Multi Window Multitasking on Galaxy S4

One of the highlighted features of Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface is the Multi-Window view, a multitasking mode that allows users to run two tasks or apps simultaneously side-by-side in either landscape or portrait mode. The feature initially debuted on the Galaxy Note 2 last year and also comes preloaded on this year’s Galaxy S4 flagship. So how do you enable it?

READ: Galaxy Note 2 Review

1. Go to the Notifications Bar

After you’ve powered on and unlocked your Galaxy S4, pull down on the top notification bar. From there, at the very top row, you’ll see a number of widgets that will allow you to toggle select functions and features on the Galaxy S4. Remember that this row of widget is not static, and you can scroll through them horizontally by swiping left or right. Keep scrolling from right to left until you see the “Muti window” widget. If it’s not green, it means that Muti Window is not activated. You’ll want to activate it by tapping on it so that the widget is green.

2. The Muti Window Drawer

Once the feature is activated, you should see a semi-circle tab on the left hand side of your phone right at the edge of the display. If you still don’t see this and Multi Window is confirmed to be enabled on your phone (see step 1), then press and hold on the capacitive touch back button for two seconds. This should give you the semi-circle (grey with a blue arrow) tab on the left border.

Once you see that tab, you can tap on it and it will open up the Multi Window drawer.

This drawer is scrollable vertically, and the drawer will show all the apps that are compatible with Multi Window. Some third-party apps will work with Multi Window as well as the native Email, Messaging, and Browser apps. Facebook, Twitter, Evernote, and Chrome will work as well.

3. Simultaneous Multitasking

So how do you simultaneously multitask? Open that Multi Window drawer (step 2). Click on an app to launch the first app you want to use. I chose Browser in this example. Then select the second app you want to use and rather than do a simple tap, what you will want to do is tap and hold and then you can drag the app out. This will give you the option of where you want to place the app. You can place the app on top or on the bottom of the screen, if the phone is held in portrait orientation, or on the left or right side in landscape mode. I chose to open the pre-loaded Office Suite Pro in the bottom of the phone.

4. Switching Which Two Apps to Use

Now that you’re simultaneously multitasking, you can switch between any of the apps available to you in the Multi Window drawer. Just swap out the app you’re not using presently with the app you want to use by long pressing, dragging, and dropping that app into the top or bottom of your display and you’re good to go.

5. Resizing Your Windows

You can also re-size your window so that one app takes up more space on the display or you can use an even screen real estate distribution. In between the two windows, there is a grey bar. Tap and hold on the bar and move it in either direction to resize your windows.

iPad 5, iPhone 5C Star in Leaked Videos

After a number of high profile leaks recently, we now have two videos that show off what are purportedly the case designs and front glass screen for both the fifth generation iPad tablet, also referred to as the iPad 5, as well as a new low cost or budget iPhone, also called the iPhone 5C.

Neither video reveals anything that we haven’t already seen through picture leaks lately, but the videos give us a better sense of how the hardware will look like and feel.

The videos were released by Macotakara and were republished on Apple-centric blog 9to5 Mac over the weekend.

iPad 5

From the video and also based on prior leaks, it appears that the iPad 5 will take on similar stylingto the iPad mini while retaining the third and fourth generation tablet’s Retina Display. This would allow the larger tablet to be lighter, slimmer, and thinner than the current fourth generation model. In the video, we can see that though the side bezels of the tablet have been shrunken to match the design of the smaller iPad mini, the bezels aren’t dramatically as small as those on the iPad mini tablet.

iPhone 5C

The iPhone 5C is rumored to be a low cost variant that Apple will offer alongside its flagship iPhone 5S this fall. Designed both for emerging markets and for U.S. prepaid customers, the iPhone 5C has been rumored to retain a 4-inch Retina Display while eschewing a high-end metal back case in favor of a unibody plastic one. In exchange, though, the iPhone 5C will come in a number of colors. The smartphone was recently said to feature an 8-megapixel camera so while the model may cost less than the flagship, don’t expect to see Apple skimp out on design and features.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Launch Event Confirmed

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch event is set for September 4th thanks to a teaser posted by Samsung Mobile early this morning.

The Samsung Unpacked Episode 2 event will take place in Berlin on September 4th, during the first day of press events for IFA 2013. Samsung relased the event in a tweet from the official Samsung Mobile account, telling followers to “Note the date.”

The combination of sketches and handwritten text with the clever use of “Note” in the tweet is enough to confirm Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Note 3 at this event.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch event will take place at 1PM Eastern, 10 AM Pacific on September 4th, with a full live stream of the event. This date is not a surprise as multiple leaks and rumors pointed to the Galaxy Note 3 launch ahead of IFA 2013 in Berlin.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch event is on for September 4th.

Samsung used the Unpacked  Episode 1 event to launch the Samsung Galaxy S4 in March, with a collection of fanfare and over-the-top acting. Expect a similar display of force with a big show for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

There is no teaser for the Samsung Gear smartwatch which is rumored to arrive on the same date and could make a great Galaxy Note 3 accessory by bringing alerts and information from the big screen to a wearable display, but it’s not surprising something like this would take second-billing to the Galaxy Note 3.

Expect many more teasers from Samsung as the Galaxy Note 3 launch event approaches.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Specs & Design

We expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will make an appearance with a new design and a larger screen. Despite a multitude of leaks showing the Galaxy S4 earlier this year, Samsung appears to have the Galaxy Note 3 team on lockdown, or at least those carrying a version of the Galaxy Note 3 with a finished design.

Thanks to many leaks it’s clear the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is set to arrive with a larger screen. A leaked document appears to show Samsung experimenting with a 5.5-inch, 5.7-inch and 6-inch display for the Galaxy Note 3, but in the end it looks like the Galaxy Note 3 will feature a 5.7-inch 1080P display.

Expect a Snapdragon 800 processor in some versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and a new Samsung Exynos Octa 5 processor in others, possibly those limited to the international market. Rumors suggest the Galaxy Note 3 will use 3GB of RAM and run Android 4.3 at launch. Based on sample photos and leaks it appears the Galaxy Note 3 camera will use a 13MP sensor.

This photo allegedly taken with the Galaxy Note 3 shows a reflection of a boxy Galaxy Note 3 in the screen.

Through a number of leaks we’ve seen various possible Galaxy Note 3 prototypes which show off amassive screen and the physical home button Samsung is well-known for, but we’ve yet to get a good look at the design. The photo above shows a photo reportedly taken with the Galaxy Note 3, which includes a reflection showing a boxy Galaxy Note 3.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release & Carriers

As we move within a month of the  Galaxy Note 3 launch event there are no solid  Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date rumors, but it does help point to a window.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 launch took place on April 26th, roughly six weeks after the launch. Unless Samsung can copy Apple’s announce and sell two weeks later strategy this fall, it looks like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release window will start in the middle of October, and possibly shift into November or December for some carriers.

Previous leaks indicate Samsung is working on a Galaxy Note 3 version for all of the major U.S. carriers with unique model numbers;

• SM-N900A – AT&T Galaxy Note 3
• SM-N900T – T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3
• SM-N900V – Verizon Galaxy Note 3
• SM-N900S – Sprint Galaxy Note 3

We could also see a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 for US Cellular, though there is a chance considering the carrier offers the Galaxy Note 2. It’s a fair bet that AT&T and T-Mobile will be among the first U.S. carriers to offer the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and that Verizon will be one of the last.

iPhone 6 Concept Delivers Stunning Display In a Small Package

A beautiful looking iPhone 6 concept delivers a radically new design with an edge-to edge display that fits a stronger, larger screen into a design that is the same overall size as the iPhone 5.

The iPhone 6 is at least a year away according to most estimates, which leaves plenty of time for Apple to deliver a mind-blowing new design and set of features after the iPhone 5S this fall.

If Apple wants to get a head start they should take a look at this impressive iPhone 6 concept that combines an Aluminum and Carbon Fiber frame with a graphene coating to deliver a lightweight but strong iPhone 6 that looks like something Apple could put its logo on.

We already expect the iPhone 5S this fall with a similar look to the iPhone 5, but a few new features. We may also see the iPhone 5C, a plastic cheaper iPhone in a variety of colors. We don’t expect to see the iPhone 6 release until 2014, which leaves plenty of time for Apple to deliver something impressively new.

A stunning iPhone 6 concept.

If this iPhone 6 concept design from Johnny Plaid is any indication of what Apple can do and where they can go with the iPhone 6, we should be in for a treat. This sharp-looking iPhone 6 concept includes design details that use real materials and includes details on how iOS 8 could look and work on the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6 Display

A new 4.5-inch Retina+ display on the iPhone 6 concept.

The highlight of this iPhone 6 concept is the 4.5-inch Retina+ display that offers a larger screen without adding to the overall size of the iPhone. The image above shows an iPhone 6 with a 4.5-inch edge-to-edge display, half an inch larger than the iPhone 5, and closer to the screens on the Moto X, Nexus 4 and Galaxy S3.

This isn’t just a larger display, but also a higher resolution one as well. The iPhone’s Retina Display looks good, but many would argue it is falling behind the 720P and 1080P displays on most flagship phones. In late 2012 talk of an iPhone with a Retina+ display appeared alongside reports of aniPhone 6 prototype with a 4.8-inch display. This iPhone 6 is a work of fiction, but a larger, higher resolution display isn’t out of the question for Apple. In true to Apple fashion this Retina 2 display is 1296 x 754 with 333 pixels per inch.

Graphene delivers a stronger iPhone 6 display in this concept. .

Another interesting feature is the use of graphene as a protective cover for the edge-to-edge display. Graphene is an incredibly strong material that could play a pivotal role in the design of future iPhones and smartphones. In the iPhone 6 concept above the material acts as a protective layer to keep the display from breaking, but it can also deliver faster charging and better battery life with the technology in a battery.

The iPhone 6 concept puts a major emphasis on the display.

The edge-to-edge display would pair with accidental gesture recognition in iOS 8 to prevent accidental touches from activating the iPhone. The edges would use touch sensors to figure out how the phone is held and prevent un-intended touches.

iPhone 6 Design

Plaid’s iPhone 6 concept is as thick as the iPhone 5, but is nearly 50% lighter thanks to a new design that users aluminum and carbon fiber. It’s not clear how this would translate into a final design made of the materials, but Plaid’s concept is 40% lighter and 60% stronger. This type of design, combined with graphene could help cut down on broken iPhones and solve that peskyiPhone 5 scratch problem that won’t likely go away with the iPhone 5S.

Concept iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 5 size comparison.

The iPhone 6 concept weighs 67.2 grams, a major reduction over the iPhone 5′s 112 gram weight. This concept measures in at about the same as the iPhone 5 even with the larger screen. In the past year we’ve seen companies increase display size without adding to the overall size of the phone thanks to smaller bezels, which could help Apple eventually jump to a larger display.

An iPhone 6 concept in your hand.

The image above shows what an iPhone 6 with an edge-to edge display could look like in your hand. This concept includes a new home button that supports multi-touch and gestures. The capacitive home button would work similar to the iPhone home button found on the iPhone 5, but would add more touch zones and controls.

While Apple doesn’t take changing connectors lightly, Plaid’s concept envisions a MagSafe Lightning connector that connects with a snap, so there’s even less fumbling for a cord at night.

It’s not likely Apple would change a connector this soon, but there would be benefits to a MagSafe adapter.

Like other iPhone 6 concepts, this one is waterproof, capable of sustaining 30 minutes in two feet of water. As the competition adds water-resistant features, Apple may take it on itself to add this feature sooner rather than later.

The rest of this iPhone 6 concept includes specs that are a reach, including a 20MP camera and dual quad-core Apple A7 processors with 4GB of RAM. This concept includes a 128GB iPhone option for $499, which would likely interest some users, but it’s not clear Apple will deliver a larger storage capacity iPhone.

iPhone Owners Who Were Refused Repairs Based on Water Sensors: Act Now

Users who purchased an iPhone before 2010 and were refused service under their device’s warranty because Apple believed the device to be damaged by liquid, have until October to apply for their portion of a $53 million settlement.

Of that $53 million, users could see an average payout ranging from $215 for a 4GB original iPhone to $215 for any iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS device. iPod touch owners could receive as much as $215 for a third-generation iPod Touch with 64GB of on-board storage. The settlement doesn’t extend past the first three generations of either product line, meaning users who have an iPhone 4, iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 are not eligible for the settlement. The same goes for users who have anything past the third-generation iPod touch.

Some iPhone 3GS users qualify for a portion of the $53 million settlement.

According to documents released by the settlement’s administrator, users who live in the United States and were denied repairs on an iPhone on or before December 31st, 2009 or an iPod touch on or before June 30th 2010, can apply for a cash payment from the settlement fund. The ability to qualify hinges on if that device was denied coverage while under a one-year warranty or AppleCare because of water damage.

Users who aren’t identified in the class action fund as Direct-Payment Class Members will need to submit forms at AppleWarrantySettlement.com no later than October 21, 2013 if they are mailing it in. Users do not have to still own the iPhone or iPod touch in question.

The settlement stems from a case brought against Apple in the state of California. According to lawyers in the case, a liquid sensor built into the iPhone caused Apple to unfairly reject thousands of iPhones & iPod touches for warranty repairs on the basis that the devices had come in contact with liquid. At the time, AppleCare, nor each device’s standard one-year warranty, covered devices that came in contact with liquid of any kind. This lead to Apple refusing to fix devices that should have qualified for a warranty repair.

Although Apple was well within their Terms & Services to not cover water-damaged devices, many devices were refused service on the basis of water damage that had not been submerged underwater. Reportedly, the water sensors inside these devices may have actually been trigged by the moisture inside of a room, or something as trivial as sweat.

While Apple has moved to extend its additional coverage to cover liquid damaged devices, other manufacturers have moved in the opposite direction and are building smartphones that are heavily water-resistant. Both the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and Sony Xperia Z resist water damage for at least thirty-minutes, negating the need for expensive add-on services and cases.

Users who buy AppleCare for their devices today are covered if their device should come in contact with water.

HTC One Max Tipped to Run Android 4.3, Not Android 5.0

Early rumors suggested that the HTC One Max would run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, an update that is rumored to be coming in October or November alongside the Nexus 5. Now, it appears that those rumors were off base as a noted HTC insider has declared that the device will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, not Android 4.2 and not Android 5.0.

Earlier this year, the HTC One Max leaked out as the HTC T6, its codename behind the scenes. The device emerged with a spec sheet courtesy of the reliable @evleaks, a spec sheet that listed off a number of specifications for the unofficial device. Many of these specifications appear to be the real deal including a large 5.9-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 16GB of storage and a massive battery.

This is said to be the HTC One Max.

However, the spec sheet also listed Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie which likely excited many of those hopeful that this smartphone would launch with Google’s rumored update. The way things are looking, it appears that the HTC One Max won’t run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, but will run the most current version of Android.

@LLabTooFeR, a notable HTC leaker and developer, claims that the HTC One Max won’t be running Android 4.2 like the HTC One, but Android 4.3 Jelly Bean like the current Nexus devices. Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie seems out of the question now too, even though it’s expected to arrive sometime in the late part of the year.

Instead, the HTC One Max will likely run Android 4.3 which just arrived for Nexus devices in late July and should be rolling out to other devices in the months to come. The update is not the major overhaul that is expected out of Android 5.0, but it is a nice incremental update from the previous version of Jelly Bean.

HTC is expected to debut the HTC One Max in September to battle the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and while we still don’t have any specific launch plans, it could show its face at the IFA trade show in Berlin, Germany.

The device is expected, at the very least, to be heading to Verizon, though that remains unconfirmed like the device itself.

Your Web Identity May Be At Risk With Android’s One-Click Authentication

Another security flaw has been discovered that could endanger your privacy and your identity online if you’re a user of Google’s Android platform. According to researchers at the Defcon conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, what is dubbed as a feature for the Android OS that allows users to conveniently and quickly authenticate themselves without having to enter in their login credentials could be abused by malicious hackers and pose as a security risk.

The feature under scrutiny is known as weblogin. The Android OS with Google services generate a unique token for the device so that users can automatically be authenticated when using Google services if they have Google accounts configured on their devices.

According to PC World, security researcher Craig Young of Tripwire created a proof-of-concept malicious app that can steal weblogin tokens and impersonate the user, allowing the hacker to access Google Apps, Gmail, Google Voice, and other Google services.

During installation, the app asks for permission to find accounts on a device, use the accounts on a device and access the network. When run, it then displays another prompt asking for permission to access a URL that starts with “weblogin” and includes finance.google.com.

This secondary prompt is uninformative and most users are likely to accept the request, Young said.

When users accept the prompt and allows for the app permission to run, a token is generated and the user is taken to Google Finance website while at the same time the token is also sent via an encrypted server to the hacker’s server.

The danger here is that the token could also be used across Google’s services allowing the hacker access to private images stored on Google’s Picasa or Google+ service as well as documents on Google Drive. The hacker could also post updates on Google+ and impersonate the user.

The issue affects both private, individual users, as well as businesses who rely on Google services through Google Apps.

While this features affords convenience to the user allowing them to not have to constantly login every time, it does pose a dangerous security risk. Perhaps, this is why Apple may be exploring afingerprint authentication hardware for its rumored iPhone 5S, a feature that could still grant users convenience while at the same time grant them added protection as well. Rather than having to type in a password every time, users just need to quickly swipe their finger across the sensor.

iOS 7 Apps Could Push iPhone 3GS Owners to Upgrade

A recent survey of iPhone developers reveals iPhone 3GS owners may be out of luck when it comes to running the latest apps this fall.

When the iOS 7 release date arrives this fall iPhone and iPad developers will be ready with app updates and many app may require iOS 7 to run on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

As developers test iOS 7 beta 4 and wait for the iOS 7 beta 5 release to bring us closer to a finished product a survey of developers reveals that almost all developers are hard at work on an iOS 7 update to their app and over half will require iOS 7.

The iOS 7 update delivers a new look and feel to the iPhone and iPad software and includes many new features, which have some developers focusing on iOS 7 specific apps.

There is no iPhone 3GS iOS 7 update, which could leave owners behind when it comes to app updates.

Craig Hockenberry, a software engineer at the iconfactory, surveyed over 500 IOS Developers to discover that most users shouldn’t need to wait for iOS 7 app support, and puts iPhone 3GS owners on notice that an upgrade may be in the cards. Hockenberry shares the results on furbo.

95% of the developers surveyed are updating apps for iOS 7, which is great news for users that want the latest and greatest apps. If this sample is indicative of the overall developer community it means we can expect a host of iOS 7 app updates to arrive in September, around the time the iOS 7 release is anticipated.

Unsurprisingly this number is close to the iOS 6 adoption rate which Apple brags is at 93% as of June 2013. Because Apple is able to roll out updates to all compatible devices in one day it’s easier to get users on iOS 7 than it is for Samsung to get all devices sold in the last three years on Android 4.2 or Android 4.3.

App updates are in general very good news for users, but it’s not all good news for users that are still using an iPhone 3GS. Over half of the developers in this survey plan to only support iOS 7.

This means users that don’t or can’t upgrade to iOS 7 will not be able to use theses apps. Specifically this means iPhone 3GS owners will be out of luck when it comes to App updates and new apps once the iOS 7 release arrives. It could also be a push to get some IOS 6 jailbreak users to upgrade to iOS 7 swiftly, ahead of an iOS 7 jailbreak.

Apple is not offering the iOS 7 update for the iPhone 3GS in any capacity, something that we could see happen with the iPhone 4 next year as it approaches the lowest rung on the iPhone product line.

Users may not be left completely out in the cold, as some apps could offer an older iOS 6 version that is frozen in time. This would mean the new features come to iOS 7 devices, but would not lock out iPhone 3GS users.

Ultimately iPhone 3GS users should plan for a new iPhone soon, possibly as soon as September when the iPhone 5S release could arrive. This will likely push the iPhone 4S to free and the iPhone 5 to $99 on contract, offering semi-affordable upgrade routes.

While Apple will support the iPhone 3GS for a while, it is no longer going to get iOS updates.

SimCity For Mac Release Set for August 29th

Mac users who have been waiting for their chance to become mayor of a virtual city will finally get their turn on August 29th when SimCity for Mac debuts.

According to Polygon, on that day users will be able to pick up the city simulation game at full price for their Mac, if they haven’t purchased the game already. Users who purchased the Windows version of the game will be able to simply download the Macintosh version free of charge through the game’s publishers’ Origin gaming service.

SimCity for Mac comes two months after the game’s developer, Maxis, announced that it would be delaying that version of the game because it simply “wasn’t ready for prime time.” As it was due to be released on June 11th, today’s announcement will come as good news for Mac users, who, like Windows users, hadn’t received an updated SimCity title in years.

SimCity will finally be available to Mac users on August 29th.

The previous title, SimCity 4 did make it to Mac users back in 2003, but was plagued with issues from its release, and never received any final updates to address its random crashing, and game breaking flaws. Although it’s likely Maxis’ hope that the launch of SimCity for Mac won’t be marred by bugs as they’ve taken the extra time to create the game, the title’s launch on Windows systems earlier this year was nearly as trouble as the Mac OS version of its predecessor.

Immediately following its launch, the online only game was completely unplayable due to server load. Instead of being straight-forward and responding to calls for the game to be made playable without an internet connection to a server, Maxis and Electronic Arts responded by claiming  that the amount of computing power that the game requires simply wasn’t possible on a single computer alone. Those claims were later refuted by reports from users who noticed that there wasn’t a lot of simulation data being calculated on the game’s servers.

In recent months, the game has become more stable thanks to patches and server updates, however calls for larger playable areas have gone unaddressed.

The Deluxe edition of the game is now available for $59.99. That price includes access to the architecture designs of London, England and Paris, France.

Nokia Takes on iPhone 5 with the PureView Abilities of the Lumia 925

A new advertisement and video spot on Nokia’s YouTube page goes after the camera abilities of Apple’s iPhone 5 with, surprisingly, the PureView enabled Nokia Lumia 925.

The new advertisement, entitled Better Photos Every Day, calls the iPhone 5 out by name and likeness saying that “everyday more photos are taken on the iPhone than any other phone.” The advertisement then goes on to declare that Nokia’s approach to camera optics makes the Lumia 925 a better imaging device than the iPhone 5 since Nokia prefers to build for “quality not just quantity.”

The rest of 1:20 minute video compares the different camera modes and optic abilities of the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 925. The commercial shows off the Lumia 925’s Action shoot abilities, low light compensation and motion blur technology. These features are showcased next to photos taken with an iPhone 5 that look notably less remarkable in comparison.

The commercial ends with the narrator declaring that “better photos are taken with Nokia Lumia than any other mobile”.

What’s interesting here isn’t necessarily that Nokia is attempting to sell users on its smartphones by arguing that the are better at taking photos in different situations, after all Nokia has marketed it’s PureView imaging technology as better than what’s available on the iPhone for some time.

What is interesting is that Nokia has apparently decided that the Lumia 925 is the device that best makes that argument. Although the Lumia 925 includes optical image stabilization and advanced camera editing software, these options pale in comparison to the Nokia Lumia 1020, which features a whopping 41-megapixel camera. That camera is capable of over sampling and creating entirely new pictures by zooming in on one area of pictures that have already been taken.

It could be that Nokia sees the aluminum body of the Lumia 925 as more of a direct competitor to the iPhone 5 which is also made of natural metals. It’s also possible the Lumia 1020’s steep price and bulk mean that Nokia sees it as much more of a niche device for enthusiasts.

Either way, most of Nokia’s entire line of Windows Phones sporting PureView technology could likely benefit from the focus on optics. Despite its aggressiveness in calling out the iPhone 5, Nokia has made no sign that it plans to run the commercial on television.

The Nokia Lumia 925 is exclusively available on T-Mobile in the United States for now down payment at $22 in monthly payments on top of the user’s bill.

Microsoft Shares Windows Phone 8 Bing Update Details

An update to the way Bing presents search results should help improve the browsing experience for Bing on Windows Phone users, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft detailed the changes in full on the Windows Phone Blog today, which finally address some of the issues users had when browsing results that the Bing hub gave them.

Microsoft is whittling down the different result categories to just ‘web,’ ‘images’ and ‘videos’. ‘Shopping,’ ‘local’ and ‘media results will be simply be shown underneath the web area. Microsoft cites the need to streamline results as the reason for the change, saying “some people just [didn’t] use them all.”

The slightly updated Bing on Windows Phone 8.

In addition to moving some search results, Bing will now surface more information in the web view, including options for driving directions and calling. This change should result in less swiping and tapping for users. The new web view will also surface options inside of particular websites right up front. In the example, Microsoft provided, users who search Delta Airlines will see options for flight tracking and schedules immediately, instead of having to open Delta’s website from the web view first.

Microsoft says it has also boosted performance by adding on-demand loading of images and videos instead of loading a large amount of media at the same time. This should also help users save just a little more data if they are not connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Finally, Microsoft will bring two of the Bing website’s most useful features to Windows Phone 8. Starting with this update, users will be able to ask Bing on Windows Phone questions and instantly get their answer. For example, asking “What is the value of the dollar?” will now get you an immediate response. Until now, this was a feature that only surfaced on the Bing website. Combined with the Bing’s voice input features that were already a part of Windows Phone, this should finally grant users a more Siri-esque way of searching for information than has ever been available on Windows Phone.

Apple’s Siri search engine/personal assistant allows iPhone and iPad users to ask questions or search the internet with just their voice. Unfortunately, Bing on Windows Phone isn’t capable giving audio answers, so users will have to still look at their screen.

Bing on Windows Phone will now present users with more “glance and go” information using the same Snapshot technique that Bing.com uses.

Microsoft says that users should start to see the changes over the next few weeks in the United States. Once the roll out is finished there, other Windows Phone users around the world will get the update. Users won’t need to do anything to actually get the new Bing experience on their devices. Since Bing acts as a web application, it can be updated without the need for an update to the Windows Phone operating system.

All indications seem to point to this new Bing experience not coming to Windows Phone 7 or Windows Phone 7.5 user.