I FIND it†surprising that there wasn’t enough noise about the birth of Bing. †Or maybe I was just not paying attention. †Quite by chance I stumbled on “Bing” when I was googling for “Bong” (come on, don’t tell me you don’t google your name from time to time).
Being the geek that I am I couldn’t help but wonder — What are the odds that Bing will trample Google in the battle for Search Engine domination?
Frankly my biases are all in favor of Google.
Bing doesn’t sound like a catchy enough name for a Search Engine, at least that’s what I think. †I have also issues on using it as a verb. †I have no problem saying “She googled…” or “I am googling…”, but does “She binged…” or “I am binging…” sound right to you?
On the other hand…
Some branding experts disagree with me, opining that it isì…short, appealing, memorable, active.î Moreover, I gathered that†Microsoft went through quite a lot of trouble to get its Search Engine’s name right. †Consider these facts: †It took six months, more than 2,000 choices, and†dozens of experts to settle on that name: Bing! †It is supposed to project the switching on of a light bulb when a genius of an idea suddenly comes to mind. †An “Aha!” moment, that is. †Very profound.
So maybe I am wrong in thinking that “Bing” is not a very good name for a Search Engine.
Still, this early Bing is already taking quite a lot of potshots from critics, especially bloggers. †One smart alec was quick in coining an acronym for Bing: ìBut Itís Not Google.î
I guess only time will tell whether Bing! (or Google) will stand a chance or not.
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Note: †This article also appears in †Technology Watch Philippines.
