Bing new feature brings screen contextual search before Google's Now on Tap

Microsoft has released an update of Bing Android app with a new feature that analyzes what is on the users screen to bring them useful, relevant information without the need to switch apps.

According to The Next Web, the new Bing feature works with any app. The users just have to long-press the home button and it will read the contents of their screen, images and all, and display related information in an overlay.

When the users invoke Bing and it will show details as well as links to connected apps and services.

The feature is similar to a feature Google said it will launch in its upcoming Android Marshmallow release, called Now on Tap.

In addition, Microsoft is opening up the graph to developers with a new API that they can plug into their apps which will allow for functions like automatically adding location information to a photo a user is sharing on a social network and displaying artist profiles and news in a music app.

Microsoft says it is launching the new feature first on Android and will soon bring it Windows 10 on desktop and mobile devices.

The developers can get the early access to the new API by writing to Microsoft. The company will make it available through its Dev Center this autumn.