Microsoft launches new Bing visual search features

Searching the internet if largely a text-heavy experience, but Bing is looking to make things a little more visual. Microsoft announced today the rollout of new intelligent visual search capabilities across Bing, Microsoft Launcher, and Microsoft Edge, each of which will now support easily tracking things down with a snap from your phone's camera.

Using visual search is a fairly simple process. Within any of the apps in which it's available, you can either snap a photo or upload one from your camera roll. From there, you can hone in on an object in the picture on which you want more information, and Bing will identify it. Visual search will then serve up more information on the object, including its location and links to explore.

One of the main features Microsoft is touting is visual search's ability to streamline shopping. If you spot a jacket, piece of furniture, or something else you want to pick up, you can upload a picture and Bing will return similar items, prices, and options for where to make a purchase.

Microsoft says that visual search is available starting today in the Bing apps for both iOS and Android. Further, Android users can check the feature out in Microsoft Launcher and Microsoft Edge. The feature will be "coming soon" to Microft Edge for iOS.

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