Bing smartens up with Wolfram Alpha
Microsoft's Bing is the first to use Wolfram Alpha's new commercial API.


Bing has integrated super-smart search from Wolfram Alpha into its own system, months after rumours suggested Microsoft's search engine would do so.
Bing is the first to use the commercial API for Wolfram Alpha's self-described computational knowledge engine.
"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," wrote Schoeller Porter, architect for developer relations, in a blog post. He added the deal had been in the works since earlier this year.
Microsoft said certain Bing searches would use Wolfram Alpha's algorithms and data. "Specifically, we will bring nutritional information and tools into Bing's search results, as well as some straight up hard maths and homework help," said program managers Tracey Yao and Pedro Silva in a blog post.
For example, you'll be able to compare the calories in two dishes - handy for dieters - or calculate your BMI right in Bing. If that doesn't catch your eye, you can always use it to solve complex maths problems.
As with all things Bing, the function is being rolled out in the US over the next few days, but will likely take a while to show up in the UK version. The UK version is actually still in beta, and not expected to be fully released until 2010.
Read on for our review of Bing and Wolfram Alpha.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Freelance journalist Nicole Kobie first started writing for ITPro in 2007, with bylines in New Scientist, Wired, PC Pro and many more.
Nicole the author of a book about the history of technology, The Long History of the Future.
-
AI coding tools are booming – and developers in this one country are by far the most frequent users
News AI coding tools are soaring in popularity worldwide, but developers in one particular country are among the most frequent users.
-
Cisco warns of critical flaw in Unified Communications Manager – so you better patch now
News While the bug doesn't appear to have been exploited in the wild, Cisco customers are advised to move fast to apply a patch
-
Researchers outline real-time search engine plans
News Glasgow university computer scientists want to give city dwellers access to a real-time information source by 2014.
-
Google promises 'fresher' search
News The internet giant looks to make its searches more timely.
-
Week in review: Android schmandroid, BP just can't do anything right
News Companies do the silliest things, whether it's losing sensitive data or pushing the definition of 'open'.
-
Yahoo takes a bite out of Google's search lead
News The latest comScore's latest search engine figures for the US sees Yahoo rise and Google fall as third-placed Bing prepares to take over Yahoo's North American search duties.
-
Bing lockdown for Windows Phone 7 handsets?
News Integration with the Tell Me voice-control feature means Windows Phone 7 devices will be Bing-only by default, a situation even OEMs won't be able to change.
-
Caffeine peps up Google's search engine
News Continuous indexing means results are fresher and faster, says Google, taking the fight to Bing but moving the goalposts for SEO professionals.
-
Google adds page load times to search rankings formula
News Speed is added to the mysterious Google page rankings melting pot as search giant tries to encourage webmasters to take a closer look at page load times.
-
Wolfram Alpha drops app price from $50 to $2
News Wolfram Alpha has announced a dramatic price drop and refunds to attract more users.