Is Bing worth all the money Microsoft is throwing at it? [video]

I appeared on the August 4 episode of TechVi and discussed the trajectory of Microsoft Bing with TechVi host Randall Bennett and Christina Warren from Download Squad. The big question I brought up is whether Bing is really worth all of resources that Microsoft is throwing at it?

While Microsoft is distracted and wasting valuable marketing dollars on Bing, Zune, and Xbox, it is letting its three most important businesses -- Windows, Office, and server software -- languish, at a time when all three are under assault from Web 2.0 forces. While Microsoft must experiment with new products and look for its next big thing, it can't do it at the expense of its core products.

However, if you put that argument aside and look at Bing on its own merits, there are a few things to like, as I discussed with Randall and Christina. Take a look in this seven-minute video round table:

For more insights on Microsoft, search, and other tech topics, follow my Twitter stream: @JasonHiner