Bing to offer music, games on search site
Microsoft’s Bing search site is getting an entertainment section with click-to-play music, television shows, movies and casual games.
It’s the latest move in Microsoft Corp.’s campaign to convince Web surfers that for some online tasks, at least, Bing is best.
Microsoft has been struggling to challenge Web search and advertising leader Google Inc. for years. Rather than taking on Google head-on, Microsoft has tried to position Bing as a better alternative for accomplishing certain kinds of online tasks: shopping, planning trips, looking for local businesses and searching for health information.
Now, Microsoft is making a push into entertainment. The company has struck deals with television networks, video Web sites such as Hulu, recording labels, game makers and other content companies. When people search for a show, a song or a casual game on Bing, they’ll often be able to watch, listen or play right from the search results, without having to go to another site.
California explores license plate ads
As electronic highway billboards flashing neon advertisements become more prevalent, the next frontier in distracted driving is already approaching — ad-blaring license plates.
The California Legislature is considering a bill that would allow the state to begin researching the use of electronic license plates for vehicles. The move is intended as a moneymaker for a state facing a $19 billion deficit.
The device would mimic a standard license plate when the vehicle is in motion but would switch to digital ads or other messages when it is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light. The license plate number would remain visible at all times in some section of the screen.
In emergencies, the plates could be used to broadcast Amber Alerts or traffic information.
The bill’s author, Democratic Sen. Curren Price of Los Angeles, said California would be the first state to implement such technology if the state Department of Motor Vehicles ultimately recommends the widespread use of the plates. He said other states are exploring something similar.
Get Verizon FiOS without contract
Verizon Communications Inc. is offering its FiOS television and broadband Internet package to new customers without a long-term contract.
The company said it wants to be more competitive with cable TV companies, which typically sell services on a month-to-month basis and had mocked Verizon’s contract requirements in ads. Contracts are more common with cell phone services.
FiOS is still small compared with cable. Verizon has about 3 million television customers, compared with nearly 62 million that cable TV providers collectively have. FiOS is currently available in 13 states, and the company is aggressively trying to cut into the cable business where it offers FiOS service.
Verizon had previously charged $20 more per month for the no-contract service. Now, new FiOS customers will be able to get contract-free service at the regular price of $99 per month, plus taxes and fees. Existing customers, however, will still be subject to the contracts — and to termination fees for ending the service early.
Associated Press
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