Microsoft offers ad-free Bing search and Surface RT tablets to schools

Wants to stamp out marketing and access to adult content - and boost usage figures.
Kids continue to mix with technology, whether that's at school or at home, which is why Apple recently banned behavioural advertising from children's apps on iOS 7.
Microsoft has now launched search engine Bing for Schools, which comes with ad-free searching in a bid to clamp down on youngsters being fed commercials – and gain widespread adoption ahead of Google.
The initial launch is Stateside and Bing claims to be the first search engine of its kind to offer the solution, while also enhancing privacy control and blocking adult content.
Bing for Schools also offers learning features to help with study, as 94 per cent of teachers reckon students will use search engines for coursework.
A number of schools in LA, Atlanta, Fresno and Detroit are already signed up to the scheme.
As an added sweetener, Microsoft is encouraging people to use Bing via mobile or at home for the chance to generate Bing Reward points for a school of their choice, which will result in schools being sent a Microsoft Surface RT tablet when enough credits have been earned.
Ronald S. Chandler, chief information officer, Los Angeles Unified School District, said: "In the Los Angeles Unified School District, we strive to stay on top of new and innovative ways to leverage technology to promote high-quality teaching and learning.
"Collaborating with community partners like Microsoft is an essential part of bringing the best possible educational experience we can to our students. I look forward to supporting the Bing for Schools program, which is designed to promote digital literacy by helping to put new devices into the hands of students, teach them how to use them well, and facilitating learning in a safe and supportive environment."
In other news, Aurasma is currently working on introducing augmented reality lessons to US schools.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...schools/022205