Microsoft Brings Visual Search to Bing, Edge, Launcher

Microsoft is beating Google to a new search feature across its platform. The company today introduced Bing’s Visual Search feature on Bing, Microsoft Launcher, and Microsoft Edge.

With Visual Search, users can take a picture, and search using the picture on the web. Bing will be able to detect things like landmarks and show you more info on things that could relate to the objects in your image. You can also use Visual Search to shop for items — for example, when you take a picture of someone wearing a certain t-shirt and want to get a similar one, you can simply take a picture and perform a search to find similar shirts that are easily purchasable through Bing.

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Visual Search is powered by computer vision and object recognition, and Microsoft says it is available on the Bing app for iOS and Android, Microsoft Launcher for Android, and Microsoft Edge for Android today in the United States. The feature will be available for Microsoft Edge for iOS and Bing.com later on.

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Conversation 9 comments

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    21 June, 2018 - 2:18 pm

    <p>You probably would've mentioned if you knew, but any info on worldwide availability? Is there a link to a Microsoft post announcing this so we can log on there and complain bitterly like it's the biggest issue in my day? :P</p>

  • RonH

    Premium Member
    21 June, 2018 - 7:45 pm

    <p>Works in Canada ? </p>

  • Markld

    Premium Member
    21 June, 2018 - 11:06 pm

    <p>I absolutely love this feature. Microsoft nailed it. I am a landscaper and this is invaluable to me. </p><p>I simply open the Bing app on my Android LG 6, click on the camera icon/button on the left with the larger Search button in the middle, a camera app opens up, I simply snap on a photo of a plant a customer wants or likes, and instantly photos with similar looks show up. I can even identify plants. </p><p>Omg, does this help me! </p>

  • dcdevito

    22 June, 2018 - 7:01 am

    <p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Microsoft is beating Google to a new search feature across its platform"</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How so? Google Lens already does this</span></p>

  • Robert Wade

    22 June, 2018 - 12:24 pm

    <p>While I really see the benefits for police and investigators, I am trying to think of any instance where I saw something and said to myself, "I wish I could figure out where that is or where to buy that". I just can't think of any.</p>

    • kingbuzzo

      22 June, 2018 - 1:51 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#285748"><em>In reply to Robert_Wade:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I wish I knew where you got that smart vest…just jokes</p>

  • skane2600

    22 June, 2018 - 1:38 pm

    <p>Didn't Google have a feature like this about 5 years ago? I recall taking a picture and Google attempting to identify the object in the photo. I don't think it worked all that well but I suspect all such schemes are going to have a high failure rate.</p>

  • Stooks

    22 June, 2018 - 9:15 pm

    <p>If I was crazy enough to actually use a Android phone….is not the Google version of this that much better? You know Google visual search on their OS.</p><p><br></p><p>Why would I choose this option?</p><p><br></p>

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