Bing Mobile App Updated to HTML5

Bing updated their mobile app for iPhone and Android users to the new HTML5 specifications on November 2nd. This is an important update as the app had fallen behind m.bing.com's feature set for months now, which we've continually griped about. Bing has been releasing mobile oriented features on their desktop site before releasing the feature where it would most likely be used. With the mobile app and m.bing.com - for example the Airport Maps launched in November on the desktop, but nowhere to be found on the mobile app or m.bing.com

Even though they released the new app, Bing still failed to roll out desktop features like the airport maps into the latest update. They did implement a split view feature that was missing, but now is showing up in the app as well as m.bing.com. Deals - yes just "Deals", not MSN Deals, not Bing Mobile Deals, MSN Daily Discount Deals, Daily Deals or whatever they are calling it this week, were also added to the home screen in the mobile app.

Video was also added to the app, but only for the iPhone at this time. While we might be a bit hard on Microsoft for a lack of sense, such as releasing mobile focused features on the desktop first, it's clear they are making an attempt to bring Mobile back into line with the same feature set available on the desktop.

We're not sure about you, but this "not quite ready for prime time" approach to new feature releases is quite confusing, Microsoft/Bing/MSN clearly isn't taking a platform wide, let alone worldwide approach to new features. It seems to us it's a hurry it up and get it out the door before Google does it strategy.