Microsoft takes a stab at the whole face swapping concept

Microsoft wants you to poke fun at yourself and put you in places you haven’t been with its new Face Swap. As the name of the app suggests, it works similar to the face filter apps on Snapchat and Instagram. But what this Microsoft app does is it can take your face and put it on someone you aren’t—for example, it turns you into an astronaut by putting it on someone in an astronaut suit.

Made by Microsoft Garage program, the app shows off Bing’s images search technologies and encourages people to use Microsoft’s search engine. To use, you just need to take a selfie in good lighting. The app will let you know if you took a good photo. From there it’ll isolate your face and let you start placing it preset categories for you to swap the face out. You can also use the Bing-powered search bar at the top of the app to look for more images to put your face on. You can share the images immediately or save it for later. The app is now available on Android and is coming to iOS soon.

Source: CNET

Microsoft gets contextual with new Bing update on Android

You’ve probably heard of Google’s Now on Tap contextual functionality coming out with Android Marshmallow? Well, Microsoft is preempting this new feature by releasing an update for its Bing Search app on Android that does something similar. Called Bing Snapshots, it has the capability to look at your screen and call up “snapshots” to provide you links you can act on. For example, you’re watching a trailer and want more information. You just need to hold the home button of your device and pull up a Bing Snapshot. This can show you reviews about the movie and links to Fandango to buy tickets.

Source: PCWorld

Microsoft aims to show mobile-friendly websites in Bing

Not wanting to be left behind by Google, Microsoft plans to show more mobile-friendly sites when you use Bing on your smartphones. They’re planning on placing higher value and giving higher rankings to mobile-optimized sites. While they won’t completely ignore those that aren’t mobile-ready yet, they do intend to make these mobile-friendly sites float a bit closer to the top.

Microsoft also plans to release a tool that’ll let developers know if their content is ready for mobile. This feature isn’t coming out for the next few months but at least you get a heads up that this is coming.

Source: Bing Blogs | Via: Engadget

Microsoft redesigns mobile homepage on Android and iOS

If you don't like the Bing app to take up too much space on your smartphone but still like to use the search engine, Microsoft revamped the mobile homepage for the site. If you open it on your Android or iOS browser, you will see the new look. When you swipe up from the bottom, you'll see a translucent card with different options. There's also a new "Popular Now" section that shows trending stories around the world and an "Image of the day" card.  

Source: Bing | Via: Engadget