Bing rolls out improvements for Maps-related searches in the UK

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

Microsoft this week is rolling out several improvements for Maps-related Bing queries in the UK.

Bing users in the UK are getting a handful of improvements for Maps-related searches. In a blog post this week, Microsoft announced a set of handy features related to address and direction queries intended to improve the experience of finding what you're looking for.

Here's a look at what's new:

  • Address queries: - Now, when you search an address on Bing.com, a map with the location will appear in the results. Microsoft says the map is "fully dynamic and interactive" on large-screen devices, including laptops and tablets. Alongside addresses, this feature works with cities, counties, and postcodes.
  • Business information by address: Address searches will also show what businesses are present at the address.
  • Simple map keywords: Using Bing to search for simple keywords like "map" and "maps" will now show a "map answer experience" based on your location. It will also suggest places, businesses, and favorite locations if you're signed in. Searching "aerial maps" serves up the same experience, but with satellite imagery.
  • Improvements to directions queries: Now, when searching for directions to a specific place, Bing will include alternative driving routes, along with estimates of the time you'll spend in traffic. A "Search along the route" option will also show you attractions and restaurants on the way to your destination.
  • Improvements for latitude and longitude queries: Bing will now show the associated address location and any nearby businesses for latitude and longitude searches.

All of these improvements are available to check out now for Bing users in the UK.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

7 Comments
  • Hmm. No update to my Maps app or downloaded UK maps yet, just checked on my phone. Is this all back end stuff then?
  • Following Google. Sooo said that it is so far behind in sooo many of such things.
  • Not sure why they bother, like no one in the UK uses Bing let alone has even heard of Bing maps, it's just so terrible.
  • Some good news. I have been surprised to hear about how far behind MS services are outside the US. Such as Bing, Cortana, MS Rewards. And even in the UK! Seems like the UK would be a no brainer to heavily market MS services to. I supppose it’s indicative of Nadella’s basic shortcoming. He’s so uber focused on Azure and AI that he can’t seem to finish the initiatives MS has already started before he’s off to the next shiny object. I hope he gets booed off the stage when he launches into his “intelligent edge” diatribe at Build. But at least for now your maps app works over the pond. Congratulations. Take the win.
  • The bing mobile experience was actually decent with Windows Phone 8.0. But we didn't get all the advanced features like Cinema timings and integration with Cinema apps.
    With 8.1 things started to get screwy as they overly focused on telemetry so the search button became a glorified QR reader. However it became marginally better with WM10 but after Steve Ballmer was ousted and the mobile division axed, it went downhill faster than a tortoise on a ski slope. Mapping went even faster, I doubt that experience will get any better since that's been shifted to Uber T_T.
  • About freaking time!
  • Bing maps have been way behind Google for years. I was thinking it might be something they might close down given the recent list of abandoned products. There is no Android app at all. Just try bing.com/maps on an Android browser. It takes you just to bing.com. Useless. If they are serious about this product they need to step up more.