Having used Google for as long as I remember “searching for stuff,” I’ve come to know the various in’s and out’s of its essential searching capabilities (looking up “definitive men’s resource,” notwithstanding). But as you and I continue to satiate our desire for new and improved gear, perhaps it makes sense to do so in our web searching browsing, as well.

Bing is Microsoft’s new search engine, minus the “Microsoft.” As a matter of fact, the folks in Redmond, WA seem pretty intent to remove any preconceived notions you might have of their search engine “MSN” with Bing. They’re even calling it a “decision engine” by providing you more context to your search. Searching for a new Olympus camera? Bing will serve up your query with not long, regular search results but also, places to buy, review snippets, and links to the manuals, spare parts, accessories, troubleshooting tips, etc. Whether that proves to be a good or bad thing in the long run remains to be seen, but it’s certainly easier than doing a dozen separate searches.

Beyond the search, Bing will provide useful related links and information to your regular search queries, quick site previews, instant answer (like ask.com), auto-suggestions for you scatter brained searchers, page flip-free image and video viewing, 16 million video search by source (hulu, YouTube, ESPN, MTV, etc), hot or not (seriously), shopping with 540 online retailers, travel information and flight search, hotel ratings, summaries of expert reviews (perhaps Gear Patrol will show up), and a unique health search that pulls from trusted sources like Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society instead of some joe schmo’s blog. It’s also available in a mobile version at m.bing.com. Yes, Google offers a lot of these tools (and more) as well, but change can be good and we all know a little competition is even better. Give it a try.

Full Tour of Bing