Bing For Schools Exits Beta And Goes Into Use With Thousands Of Schools

Last summer Microsoft announced that it was beginning work on a new version of Bing that was aimed at schools called Bing for Schools. The idea for Bing for Schools was to provide a somewhat sanitized version of the Bing search engine that would help insulate kids using computers at school from content that they shouldn't be able to see. Microsoft started with a small pilot program for Bing for Schools that had operated in five schools.

Microsoft's search engine for schools is ad free and there will be no charge for schools to use the special version of Bing. When Bing is searched within the school network, there will be no ads and strict content filters will help filter access to any adult material. Microsoft also disables the ability to use student searches to target ads to the searcher.

The program is currently operating in 5,000 schools around the country with over 4.5 million kids participating. Schools can also get Bing Rewards credits if the students search with Bing from home or mobile devices. Bing Rewards lets the student choose what school they support with credits.

Once the school totals 30,000 credits, a Surface tablet with Type Cover will be sent directly to the school. Microsoft and other tech firms have always been big on catching kids in school to get them used to specific products. What kids learn on in school they tend to continue using when they get into the adult world.

SOURCE: PC World