Microsoft has altered the hotword for its Cortana digital assistant.
Customers will now need to utter “Cortana” instead of the usual “Hey Cortana” command to toggle the assistant, in a move that brings Microsoft’s offering in line with Amazon Alexa – though the original hotword will also remain in use for the time being.
It’s a decision that makes sense. Amazon and Microsoft teamed up in 2017 to integrate Alexa and Cortana so that both assistants can be used on rival devices, so it’s natural that the firm wants to make its system as easy to use as its main competitor.
Related: Amazon Echo (2017)
Microsoft told The Verge that it implemented the change on the Invoke speaker and that it will be reaching more devices in the near future. There’s no word, however, on whether PCs armed with Cortana will be affected by the change.
One thing Cortana users are still missing out on is the option to change the hotword to something better suited to them – something Alexa offers in a limited capacity. With this latest move, it’s safe to assume that feature will also arrive in the coming months.
Would you like the option to change Cortana’s hotword to something a little more personal? Let us know over on Facebook or Twitter @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
