And just like that, Microsoft's Cortana comes to both the iOS and Android universes. In what could be the start of Windows 10 invasion into two of the most prominent smartphone OS in the world, an online assistant (possibly female) is poised to become available and ready to give service.
As reported, the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant has confirmed that it is making its favorite online assistant Cortana available both for iOS and Android users. While two distinct apps will be released for both mobile software architectures, it will mark a novel approach in the most dominant PC OS player's trust to get a bigger share of the smartphone market worldwide.
To get an initial feel, Microsoft is allowing a closer look, a peek if you may, at those two distinct apps. It emphasizes though, that it won't matter if a user is using Windows 10, iOS or Android as he/she can make the most of Cortana - ask similar queries and shoot questions - even in such disparate OS.
Adding even more sizzle to the future event, the Cortana companion's coming has already been pegged a date. June for Android while it will have to be later this year for iOS fans.
However, the tech behemoth is quick to qualify: Cortana running on Android or iOS won't be as powerful as Cortana on Windows 10.
Still, there will be a slew of features that Cortana will offer to both dominant OS. First stop, notification support.
Any Android or iOS device will get their due notifications - from sports results to flight schedules - in a breeze. And more as most of Cortana features available on Windows Phone or Windows 10 versions will be made available on those two major OS systems.
However, there is no detail given as to how Cortana will work alongside iOS online assistant Siri or for that matter Google Now. That should be something users will be looking forward to.
Needless to say, this is Microsoft's ingenuous method of slowly courting its way to the hearts of smartphone users - most of whom carry a device other than what Microsoft offers. With this kind of integration, the tech titan is bridging the gap not only between those two major smartphone OS, iOS and Android but also between PC's and smartphones as Cortana. The online assistant is capable of finding relevant apps on any mobile device and integrating it with Microsoft apps like OneNote and OneDrive.
Should we be expecting a catfight between Siri and Cortana or between Cortana and Google Now? Sounds like Microsoft's Cortana is truly able.
Join the Conversation