With the impending release of Windows 10, Microsoft has been stepping up to release a version of its digital assistant, Cortana to all platforms, naturally leaks were expected and apk’s for Android are available. Windows Phone users are already familiar with Cortana and there doesn’t seem to be any major differences between the app in android either. I had a chance to look at Cortana, it was buggy, the app itself will tell you it’s still in beta. Cortana is fairly simple and very Windows Phone esque in design, it requires that you sign in with a Microsoft account before you get started. You can access Cortana’s notebook that allows you to collect more information based on you and your choices, much like Google Now’s cards. The interface does look like a Windows 10 dark theme. Voice search is enabled though this is where the app starts to get buggy. It will still function well if you type your queries. Windows phone users could activate Cortana with the voice command “Hey Cortana” which is certainly missing here.
So why is Microsoft bringing a functional part of Windows 10 on other platforms ? Think Windows as a service. Microsoft wants users to get in on their services on other platforms as well. Using Cortana means you’re going to be using Microsoft’s Bing search engine, it’s a key part of what Microsoft wants to catch on with iOS and Android. Cortana for iOS is expected later in the year and a preview build for Android will be coming in a few weeks.
Cortana can be fun
For those familiar with Cortana besides the search engine, the digital assistant’s interesting origins come from the Microsoft Xbox game, Halo where Cortana is an artificial intelligence character supporting the player, Master Chief. Cortana’s name was originally a codename for the entire app project, it became official after a Windows Phone forum petition. It’s easy to see the resemblance with the way Cortana speaks to you and I couldn’t resist having some nostalgia thrown in the mix with a few questions asked.
She even has a high opinion of Siri.
