Bing for mobile iPhone app

Feature: Microsoft moves to stake out positions on important matters relating to the travel industry. First, Bing announced a series of major upgrades with a new Bing for Mobile iPhone App that now offers mobile check-in and features like StreetSide (see before you go) and autosuggest.

Microsoft’s Bing adds new mobile app, map, social-media and travel features – LA Times (read more on Bing Search Blog)

Microsoft also announced that it is joining the FairSearch coalition which is trying to prevent the Google-ITA deal – FairSearch.org

The announcement was preceded by a barrage of news reports piling on Google for a variety of reasons, from charges of favoritism to fear of Google’s reach.
Rivals say Google plays favorites – WSJ
TripAdvisor blocks Google: The start of a larger trend? SearchEngineLand
Web companies fear Google’s reach – Wash. Post

Google’s response was posted by Google Deputy General Counsel Don Harrison who says that “In 2007, Google bought DoubleClick, but then Microsoft spent twice as much for its display ad company aQuantive and Yahoo bought ad exchange Right Media. All mature companies regularly acquire companies to make big bets on new spaces.” – TechFlash

Google also announced a $10 million deal with Jordan that has an interesting travel tech twist. 10 Jordanian businesses, including Royal Jordanian airlines and the Jordan Tourism Board, will be able to reach out to global customers with Google’s help. Google has promised to re-invest one-fourth of the amount ($2.5m) back into Jordan in the form of infotech and communication technology development assistance. – AP

Here’s the rest of the week’s interesting news:-

Airline ticketers find ways to skirt new disclosure law – Buffalo News
Continental offering fare lock-in option – CNN

Facebook, Twitter: new roadmap for high-end travel – AFP
Social media spending to overtake email marketing – BigMouthMedia

Homeaway launches Ministry of Detourism as prelude to Superbowl ad – Homeaway.com
DiscoverNewEngland.com kicks Connecticut off the map for failing to pay dues – Hartford Courant

Christmas underwear bomber who tried to blow up Northwest flight back in court – AP
San Francisco based Betabrand’s high-tech ‘Privates’ boxers block airport scanners without triggering enhanced patdowns – InHardFocus.com

There will be more air travel because of Julian Assange - WikiLeaks fallout is bullish for Boeing, Airbus and United-Continental – Forbes
Airbus Forecast – Demand for 26,000 planes valued at $3.2 trillion – UpTake