By default, Windows Phone 7 uses Bing as its search engine and Microsoft doesn’t currently give users the option to switch to another search provider. Just like Bing launched multiple iPhone apps, though, Google is also bringing its own mobile apps to Windows Phone 7. Just in time for the U.S. launch of Windows Phone 7, you can now download Google Search from the Marketplace.
There are no major surprises here. The app gives you access to the majority of Google’s standard mobile search features (search suggestions, access to your search history, local search etc.) that are also available on the iPhone and Android, with the notable exception of voice search. This is an interesting omission, especially given that Google has recently made voice recognition a focal point of its mobile apps. Microsoft’s Bing-powered built-in search engine features voice search and is obviously deeply integrated into the user experience on Microsoft’s own operating system.
If you have a Windows Phone 7 device already, you can download the app by searching for “Google Search” in the Marketplace. The app is available for free.
