Microsoft gives Bing a spring clean

Microsoft has added an array of new features to its Bing search engine scheduled to be rolled out this spring and summer.

The Bing development team said in a blog post that it will expand Quick Tab with functionality to the top of the page for a clearer and more visually comprehensive tab layout.

This will help the search engine to guess user intentions, and make faster and more informed decisions, Microsoft said.

The team is also working on embedding real-time data, and optimising web searches with better local information by visualising information on maps.

Finally, a Map App application will show relevant data from Microsoft partners like Foursquare. The application uses the spatial canvas from Bing's Maps combined with Foursquare's user reputation service.

"We have a vision for Bing to serve as a vital assistant to your online decision making. In these latest designs, you'll see a lighter, cleaner presentation of results that highlight key actions that will efficiently guide you toward your goal," wrote Jeff Henshaw, general product manger of Microsoft's user experience team.

"Every day, Bing gets more intelligent about tasks that are important to people like you and me, so we continue to streamline and polish the Bing experience in ways that let you tap into that intelligence."

Some of the updates will roll out during beta testing, and Microsoft intends to make more Bing announcements soon.