One small Bing for the web, one giant leap for Microsoft


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Microsoft's much-vaunted

search engine just went live today and the reviews are in: it's a hit.

The US software giant is making no qualms about the need to make headway into the search business, one which is dominated by Google. Indeed, Google's ability to capture the search market appears close to insurmountable, with anywhere from a 60 per cent to 80 per cent market share, depending on what data you use.

Its need to make a splash was slowed considerably by last year's efforts in purchasing Yahoo, another beleaguered Web company, whose prospects seem to have been improved followed the appointment of new CEO

.

But credit has to be given to Microsoft for its continued efforts at innovating within the space. Bing is a sleek, fast-powered search tool that upon first glance, yields more interesting results than its counterparts. It also has tapped into the

goldmine of real-time trend tracking with "popular searches" (

to view local results in Arabian countries, although the service is not as robust as the US version)

More thoughts on Bing and what results it shows when searching for "Dubai" after the jump.

A search for "

", for example, presents information on the emirate in a clean, organised manner, displaying results on "maps", "tourism", and "hotels", et al. Those listings are also detailed on an easy-to-read sidebar which also includes popular related searched. Done correctly, such results may sway a number of tourism-related companies to increase its advertising budget with Microsoft than Google.

Other nifty tricks - as detailed on

- include previews of publicly-listed companies, video previews, the ability to e-mail search results, an RSS search feed and a "contains" search operator that easily lets you fine documents on the Web.

, which offers its own positive review on the new Microsoft service, opines that Bing may drive Yahoo to agree to some sort of partnership sooner than later:

If I were Yahoo and I was thinking of doing a search deal, I'd pull that trigger sooner rather than later. Yahoo wants a "boatload" of money to do a search deal or sell the company outright. Microsoft offered a boatload last year for either deal and couldn't get it done. If Bing is a hit, there's little reason for them to offer more. Google's blocked from working with Yahoo, so they aren't going anywhere.

is mixed on Bing, but says it holds promise as well.

Regardless of whether Bing is a hit (and something tells me it will be somewhat of a success), the fact that more companies are devoting more resources to improving search on the Internet is nothing but a good thing. In a space which it is near-impossible to usurp Google,

is a key example of search innovation capturing the minds of Web users, although many have said that its search syntax falls well short of being truly semantic.

Of course, Google has its own answer - the e-mail revamp entitled "

". The "collaboration" tool was apparently met with a standing ovation at the Google I/O conference last week, something that apparently rarely happens in tech circles. It's hard to say what exactly Google Wave will become, although I'm sure many developers are salivating at the opportunity to tap into Google's real-time data.

Quick facts on cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases 
  •  About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime 
  • By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million 
  • 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries 
  • This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030 
  • At least one third of common cancers are preventable 
  • Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers 
  • Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
    strategies 
  • The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion

   

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 BMW X4

Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800

Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km

Result:

1. Cecilie Hatteland (NOR) atop Alex - 31.46 seconds

2. Anna Gorbacheva (RUS) atop Curt 13 - 31.82 seconds

3. Georgia Tame (GBR) atop Cash Up - 32.81 seconds

4. Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum (UAE) atop Peanuts de Beaufour - 35.85 seconds

5. Miriam Schneider (GER) atop Benur du Romet - 37.53 seconds

6. Annika Sande (NOR) atop For Cash 2 - 31.42 seconds (4 penalties)

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law