Microsoft discontinues Bing for Windows Mobile for QVGA devices

September 2, 2010 | By Surur

Bing for QVGA devices now gone. Microsoft has discontinued support for Bing Mobile on QVGA Windows Mobile devices, apparently in an effort to focus on the Windows Phone 7 version and the higher-end Windows Mobile 6.5 and 6.1 devices, according to Phonenews.com.

Users trying to install the latest version on their QVGA devices will be met by a suggestion to use use m.bing.com, saying “Sorry, the resolution on this device is not supported, please visit http://m.bing.com for the best search experience.”

While there will be very few Windows Mobile Professional devices sold in recent years with that resolution in the west, it is not too uncommon in second tier markets where handsets are used longer, and of course most Windows Phone Standard devices feature the same resolution.

While Microsoft has said they will continue to support Windows Mobile, the removal of a significant piece of software from much of the platform, including support for free turn by turn spoke GPS navigation, will be seen as a blow by most, and an increasing indication that Microsoft has closed the door on their now older OS.

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged bing, gps navigation, microsoft, windows mobile

http://twitter.com/illusive_life @illusive_life

Thanks MS, as if giving us a new half baked OS for all our smartphones wasn't enough, you have to kill some of the best apps for some of the best devices.

mbcls

they also killed Live Search! (when you launch the app, it said "new version of bing is available" and L.S will freeze/lock up. ) i like Live Search better than this stupid bing. on live search, it lists 30 movies theaters in my area, on this new bing garbage it only lists like 5 or 6 movies theaters in my area!

DC_

What's truely agravating is that they broke the perfectly working version that was available. Couldn't they have left us with that?
chinch

bing requires data. old/cheap devices can live without further bing updates. Plus MS needs incentives to get cheap HVGA wp7 devices out for those markets that need it.
MS-hater

Thanks so much Microsoft. Time to go by my first Andoid to replace my 14 month old Mobile 6.1 phone!!