Microsoft's Bing for Android expands across all U.S. operators

Microsoft is launching its Bing for Mobile search application for Android smartphones across all major U.S. operators following the end of its exclusivity agreement with Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ). According to Microsoft, Bing for Mobile is now available for download via Android Market--the solution offers the Bing image of the day with clickable hotspots, image search, news, local business listings and reviews as well as movie times, flight information and related data. Earlier this week, Microsoft introduced its first Windows Phone 7 smartphones to the U.S. market, with Bing for Mobile preloaded--in addition, the app is also integrated into Verizon Wireless' new Samsung Continuum and Motorola Citrus devices.

Verizon Wireless and Microsoft signed a five-year search deal in 2009, with Microsoft providing portal, local and web search as well as mobile advertising services across the operator's devices. After Verizon preloaded the Bing search engine on the Samsung Fascinate this summer, execs quickly shot down the rumor that the carrier would swap Bing for Google on all future Android releases: "We have a relationship with Microsoft and Bing is the search engine on our multimedia phones but we have never said it would be exclusive on all of our devices," Verizon Wireless told Engadget.

For more:
- read this Bing Community blog entry

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