After months of beta testing, Cortana officially released for Android and iOS today

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cortana

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, Cortana had now become official for iOS and Android.

There aren’t too many differences with the official version when compared with the beta version, but it’s nice to see the app finally go official. 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.

While neither platform has Cortana baked into the OS like W10M, lacking features like opening and closing apps and toggling settings, Cyanogen builds with have the app preinstalled thanks to a special relationship with Microsoft, picking up features like the ability to ask Cortana to toggle network modes, power down your phone, and turn on Quiet Mode amongst other features. This in addition to the features mentioned earlier, and the ability to use “Hey Cortana” anywhere in the OS, Cyanogen may be the best option for those wanting a great Cortana experience without picking up a Windows 10 Mobile device.

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.

You can get Cortana for Android here and iOS here.

More about the topics: android, Cortana, ios, microsoft

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