Microsoft announced today that its Bing Pulse real-time audience response tool is now available for anyone to use. The service, which has been in use for the past two years, is designed to boost audience engagement with live events by giving them the opportunity to sound off about what they’re seeing.
The service allows people to log into a special web page and answer poll questions based on what’s happening in front of them. Event organizers who set up the tool can measure audience sentiment with votes recorded up to every five seconds. Votes can be displayed in a live data visualization that organizers can display at their event or live on a video feed.
Bing Pulse runs in web browsers, so people can participate on any mobile platform without installing a special app. Organizers can also embed the Bing Pulse tool into an event webpage, so that people can vote alongside a live stream or conference agenda.
The tool has already been put into use by a number of large media companies, including CNN and Fox News. Conference organizers have also taken advantage of Bing Pulse, with the Clinton Global Initiative Conference in Aspen this year featuring Pulse-fueled audience interaction.
Until Jan. 31, people can try out Bing Pulse for free. After that, they’ll have to pay for the privilege of using it at their events. Microsoft hasn’t disclosed pricing for the tool yet.
