Earlier this week, Microsoft updated its Bing app for Android with a new feature stripped right out of Android Marshmallow. Normally we frown at such overt duplication, but this is one feature we’ve been anxious to try out, and since the latest Android Developer Preview 3 didn’t contain Now on Tap, why not let Microsoft fill in that gap?
Known as Bing Snapshots on Tap, the feature is essentially Now on Tap, but it uses Microsoft’s own search platform. Once you activate the software in Android’s Accessibility feature, it’ll basically take over the quick launch shortcut for Google Now. Press and hold your device’s home button, and Snapshots will pop up.
Snapshots is designed to intelligently read your screen to pull up relevant information based on whatever it is you’re looking at. So, for example, if you’re looking at photos of Yosemite, Snapshots will pull up the information you need, along with associated actions.
For locations (like the example above), Bing will shot reviews, ticketing information, points of interest, and any other information you’d want to know about a place you’re thinking of visiting. It’s incredibly useful, and takes a lot of the grunt work out of searches. Just summon Bing Snapshots and you’re good to go.
Snapshots also works for movies. Say you’re watching a trailer for Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation, and you want to learn more. Just activate the feature, and it’ll offer up more details, including cast info, plot synopsis, and where you can watch the film nearby.
Even though the new feature is in beta, it works incredibly well so far. I’ve tried it in apps like Mail, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter and more, and I haven’t run into any problems. Not bad for a feature we didn’t even know was on the way.
What’s really great is that the Bing update will work on devices running Android 4.0 and up; Now on Tap seems like a feature only available to phones with Android 6.0, which still isn’t even out yet on a wider basis. If you can’t wait for Marshmallow, definitely give the Bing update a shot.
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