Windows live search mobile beta available

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

Art Cube — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:50:05 GMT

What about the install? This download has an xml file.

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

eufreka — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:14:21 GMT

Well, my quick take is:

ahem, when it installed it chose the name "Search" without regard for the fact that WinMo5 already has a program called "Search"...

So now I have a "Search(1)" sitting next to the original. Granted, the new one has the Live icon, but hey, really....you have to be kidding, right.

Also, very few locations are supported for traffic.

Finally, when I started choosing map views and zooming in, it stopped refreshing the screen.

What started out as "Impressed" turned into "Depressed"

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

Jason — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:53:33 GMT

eufreka - remember this is a beta so you may have some issues however your feedback helps us make it a great product when it releases

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

eufreka — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:52:21 GMT

Well, I'll add a few more thoughts then...

first, I was earlier using it landscape...so i tried it some more portrait, and had better results...however, I decided to give it a real world test with my gps receiver and found that it is definitely not a replacement for dedicated mapping software...

The refresh of scrolling maps couldn't keep up with 30-40 mph traffic. I tried a route, only to find that it cannot recalculate based on actual location, etc. There appeared to be no way to load a destination from my contacts, for example...

I can imagine ways it could be exciting, but i don't think there is any hope for it to really resolve the above issues...(in particular, building a web-based itinerary and then accessing it on the road would be nice...

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

Dave — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:06:51 GMT

Who do we provide feedback to?

There doesnt seem to be a email addy/forum etc

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

Jim — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:18:39 GMT

Jason,

When I grow up, I want to be like you! Thanks for your blog and keeping the other mobile geeks up to speed. Do you have a peer in the Western US, I would like to meet them. I am evangelizing mobility for my company and customers. -Jim

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

John — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:13:12 GMT

All,

My name is John and I'm an SDET on the mobile search team at Microsoft. Thanks for your positive and constructive comments on our app. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to send mail to wlsmbeta@microsoft.com or directly to me (johnlynn at microsoft.com).

eufreka,

The ability of our app to keep up with you while driving is really dependent on the network connection. That's the sacrifice we were willing to make to put the world in your phone with only a 350k install. Also, our goal was to provide a great search app. Maps and directions are still extremely important, however we're not trying to be a navigation app like TomTom. Thanks for the feedback. Regarding your requests: you may be pleasantly surprised with future releases :).

re: Windows live search mobile beta available

George B — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 09:56:47 GMT

Great and awesome app but would be nice if voice directions would be possible