Microsoft releases Bing search app tailored specifically to the iPad

Are you finding the Bing iOS app not quite as tablet-optimized as it could be? Microsoft seems to agree with you, as it's just released a new version of Bing designed to make the most of the iPad's more spacious dimensions. It works with both generations of the tablet, though iOS 4.2 is required, and brings an arsenal of goodies to tempt users into giving it a try. A trends area will serve up the top-searched items on Bing, a dedicated movie- and trailer-searching section will help make your matinee decisions that little bit easier, and multiple map views will enlighten you with turn-by-turn directions and real-time transit info. There are even weather updates for up to five cities via MSN Weather and, if for whatever reason you don't find the touch-centric interface to your liking, there's a Bing Voice Search option as well. All for free. On the iPad. Boy, that must bruise some egos up in the Redmond. Video after the break.
<br/><a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=bf79720b-2fce-4f05-b880-21793cd62bd9&src=SLPl:embed:&fg=sharenoembed" _fcksavedurl="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=bf79720b-2fce-4f05-b880-21793cd62bd9&src=SLPl:embed:&fg=sharenoembed" target="_new"title="Touch and Decide: Introducing Bing for iPad">Video: Touch and Decide: Introducing Bing for iPad</a>

Nokia releases Ovi Maps 3D beta plug-in for Safari

Filed under: Apple, Mac

by Michael Grothaus (RSS feed) on Apr 19th 2011 at 7:00AM

Nokia has just released a Safari plug-in for its browser-based Ovi Maps 3D mapping software, and it is beautiful. The new mapping software renders lifelike 3D textured buildings in a level of detail that is unparalleled. The image above is from London, and as you can see, not only are the buildings rendered in photorealistic 3D textures, but bushes and trees are as well.

As of now, Nokia's 3D textures are limited to London, Oslo, New York and other big cities, with other cities to follow later. To view the 3D beta of Ovi Maps 3D, you need to download the 19 MB Safari plug-in here. Unfortunately, there's no word on whether Nokia plans to release an iOS app for Ovi Maps 3D; given the competition in the smartphone market between Apple and Nokia, it's doubtful. However, Apple has been rumored to be overhauling the Maps app in iOS for quite some time, and it would be great if it could come close to this level of 3D textures in a future version of Maps.

[via Electronista]