Bing App Gets Turn-by-Turn Directions and More

The Bing app for Windows phones has just been updated with new features, the most exciting of which is an improved navigation feature that now offers turn-by-turn directions. For owners of Windows 6.x phones, the Bing Maps component of the app can now guide you to your destination, complete with voice prompts, just like a real GPS-enabled navigation device could do. The Bing team had help from the Microsoft Tellme group, who helped develop the voice in the app itself so it was clear and lifelike (and it is!).

To get directions using the mobile app, you select the new “Navigate” button. It can also help you find the fastest route, shortest route, the route that avoids traffic or tolls and more, just like Bing Maps on the desktop. (There’s a video of the app in action here).

The second new feature in the Bing mobile app is actually not really a feature, but a redesign of the app’s homepage itself. Now the most common searches, like Movies and Traffic for example, are buttons at the bottom of the page where they can be easily accessed.

To get the new Bing app for your phone, go to m.bing.com from your phone’s web browser. To see if your phone is supported, go here and check the list at the bottom of the page.