Microsoft has teamed up Wolfram Alpha to provide results for its Bing search engine.
Wolfram, unlike Google, provides specific answers to questions rather than a list of links, and will be used to boost Bing’s results in areas including maths, health and nutrition.
Many of Wolfram’s answers to questions take data from public and licensed databases. The firm began offering its API (Application Programming Interface) in October to allow third party developers to build on to it for their own offerings.
According to the Wolfram blog: “By using our API, Bing will be able to seamlessly access the tens of thousands of algorithms and trillions of pieces of data from Wolfram Alpha, and directly incorporate the computations in its search results.”
Microsoft told BBC News that the nutritional and fitness data in Wolfram Alpha could help around 90 million Americans who go on a diet each year.
"When you search for specific food items on Bing, you'll get a nutrition quick tab that allows you to learn more about it," the firm said. "You also get a nutrition facts label at the bottom of the results page that summarises all information on that food item in a very familiar and friendly format."
Advertisement
Related Stories
- Google's Motorola buy gets the green light Feb 14th 2012 at 7:49AM
- Microsoft gets heavy on educational pricing Feb 13th 2012 at 5:54AM
- Google planning home invasion? Feb 10th 2012 at 6:58AM
- Windows 8 'consumer preview' at the end of February Feb 9th 2012 at 7:36AM
- Google brings Chrome beta to Android at last Feb 8th 2012 at 2:43AM
- Google's Tech City campus coming soon Feb 7th 2012 at 1:45PM
- Microsoft gets stingy with Technet Feb 6th 2012 at 7:11AM
- Microsoft UK pricing could rise Feb 3rd 2012 at 12:06PM
- Microsoft Windows Phone 8 details emerge Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:49AM
- Google describes 'Bouncer' Android anti-malware system Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:41AM
Follow Follow this article if you would like to receive notifications of updates.
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
0 comments
There are no comments yet, be the first to add one!