Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it has updated its Bing application for Windows Mobile and more importantly, Microsoft added two new features. The first is a redesigned home page where Microsoft changed the navigation to give people faster access to common searches, such as Movies and Traffic. The second feature is free turn-by-turn off-board GPS navigation which uses Microsoft's Bing Maps. Microsoft took advantage of the Microsoft Tellme team's expertise in voice applications to deliver an amazingly lifelike voice experience for the turn-by-turn navigation. When getting directions with Bing, users will get a new "Navigate" button. By selecting it, Bing will calculate your route, and guide you as you drive.

Users can select the fastest or shortest route, choose to avoid traffic and/or tolls, get a map or a list of directions, and see arrows and hear alerts to know which way to turn next.

The navigation feature is compatible with a wide range of latest touchscreen and non-touchscreen Windows Mobile smartphones but it's yet available in the U.S. only. However, it's most likely that Bing Maps navigation might become a standard feature in Windows Phone 7, even if Microsoft hasn't confirmed any plans yet.

Cheers ~ Arne