Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana was promised for other competing platforms since it’s inception with Windows 10 earlier this year, and after months of being available in beta form, now become official for iOS and Android.
On iOS you’ll be able to set reminders using the voice assistant, track flights and packages, set interests, search weather conditions and other useful info, while the Android version picks up all of these features in addition to having the ability to use the ever so useful “Hey Cortana” command while either in the app or on the home screen and nabbing the ability to receive missed call alerts on your Windows 10 PC, with the ability to respond back via text message.
On the other hand, a few Android smartphones will gain a leg up on the iOS version of Cortana thanks to a partnership between Microsoft and start-up company Cyanogen, which runs a custom version of the OS on select Android devices. With Cyanogen software, Android users will have essentially all of the abilities Windows Phone users have over Cortana, including being able to speak to the personal assistant without opening up the separate app.
Currently, the Cortana apps are only available in the US and China, with more countries promised for the new year. You’ll need to be on software version iOS8 and higher for iPhones and version 4.1.2 for Android.
#Cortana now available across mobile platforms as companion to #Windows10 PCs https://t.co/Nj6YswNEtC pic.twitter.com/E9G8tyjOZf
— Microsoft News (@MSFTnews) December 9, 2015
