Windows 10 Release Date, Features & News: Voice Assistant 'Cortana' Coming To iOS & Android
A new voice assistant is set to take all devices by storm once it gets released. Word is out that Microsoft's Cortana, which would be released alongside Windows 10, is coming to both Android and iOS devices.
Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for Operating Systems Joe Belfiore confirmed that Cortana would soon be available in devices that are utilizing operating systems apart from Windows 10.
The announcement was made in a blog post Belfiore wrote for the company.
According to the executive, the reason they made the voice assistant available to other non-Windows phone is because of their desire to have a seamless workflow across all devices. Because not everyone has a Windows phone, the benefit of having Windows Universal Apps would be limited to those who have installed Windows 10 to their PC or devices.
The voice assistant service would be available as a "Cortana application for Android phones and for iPhones which works as a companion to Cortana on your Windows 10 PC."
For this to work, one would need to install the "Phone companion" app on the PC, which would help the user access the application via Apple Store or Google Play in their devices to be able to enjoy the Microsoft-developed application.
While the Cortana app on handheld devices could allow seamless transition of working on some things from the PC to the phone, Belfiore noted that not all functionality available in a Windows phone would be accessible in an Android or iOS gadget because of system limitations.
Among the functionalities that iOS and Android users would not be able to access is the voice activation command as the system for Cortana to respond to its user's voice is designed for Windows devices only.
Microsoft's move to make the application available to other devices is a step towards their goal of becoming more competitive in the mobile market that has been dominated by Android and iOS users for the past years, reported CNET.
For those who are enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, the Phone companion app is already available for download and trial. Other Microsoft users could experience it when Windows 10 ships out later this year.
According to Microsoft, Android users could get their hands on the Cortana app by the end of June, and for iOS users, later this year. Updates on the Xbox Music application is expected to be available in the later part of June or July.
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