Bing homepage begins testing of Windows Phone-like tiles
updated 11:05 am EDT, Thu July 21, 2011
Live tiles being tested for Bing search engine
Microsoft is currently internally testing live tiles, or small windows, that remain fixed while users scroll down the screen to keep navigation tabs in view for the HTML5 version of Bing, WinRumors reports. The tiles will enable animated pictures and automatically-generated slideshows so users can visually explore a search query. They depend on a user's location and provide weather information, local news, mapping, targeted advertising and trends.
The company will otherwise bring its Metro design language to Bing to better match its other sites. Metro is the company's code name for a typography-based design language. It was originally applied to Media Center and Zune products. Windows Phone 7 is its current home and will influence the direction of Windows 8.
An instant search feature will also be part of the updated Bing engine, which is similar to what Google already offers.
