14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is attempting to position Bing Reference as nothing short of the key source on the web for all users’ reference needs. This according to Tom Bogart, senior program manager, Powerset Division of Bing, whose team was in fact responsible for building Bing Reference. Concomitantly with the introduction of the Bing search/decision engine, Microsoft also made available Bing Reference as a way to expand some query results. The feature has since then grown into a fully fledged vertical of the search/decision engine, and it even manage to get its very own Reference homepage.
“From the Bing homepage, click “More” then click “Reference,” to be taken to Bing Reference’s very own homepage. Or you can always access Reference directly by going to http://www.bing.com/reference. Bing Reference is a product of the Powerset team at Bing. From the new Reference homepage you can begin your research on interesting topics of the day, and see examples of reference queries that illustrate the natural-language capabilities of our semantic technology,” revealed Katie Conry, program manager, Powerset Division of Bing.
According to the default description of the vertical, Bing Reference is designed to help users “find facts fast in enhanced Wikipedia articles.” But by default, with no queries performed, Bing Reference will provide additional information related to the Bing wallpaper of the day. On October 8th, for example, Bing features an image from San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, and the Reference offers details of the Spanish island. Make sure to check it out, because it will definitely be worth your while.
“Have you ever wanted to delve deeper into the Bing homepage, and learn even more about the daily image? The recently launched Reference homepage is a great place to start,” Conry added. “The new homepage is just one of many exciting changes we’ve made to Bing Reference.”