Microsoft has updated its Cortana application for Android, removing the hands-free ‘Hey Cortana’ voice search functionality.
According to Microsoft, the company said it was temporarily disabling the feature following user feedback.
In a statement, the company told VentureBeat there was a ‘conflict with Android voice search.’ Effectively, that means, users are annoyed that the feature was getting in the way of ‘OK Google’ use.
The statement reads: “We’ve received user feedback that the ‘Hey Cortana’ feature is conflicting with Android voice search and are temporarily disabling the feature while we evaluate a solution.”
The completed version of app has been out in the wild for only two weeks, but was tested in beta during the summer.
With Microsoft claiming it has only temporarily disabled ‘Hey Cortana,’ there’s a chance it’ll come back in an amended form.
See also: How Cortana on Windows 10 will make your life easier
The app is only available to Android users in the US, China right now, so it doesn’t affect Brits at this stage.
Presumably, the issue will be resolved before Cortana attempts to kick ‘OK Google’ off its own patch in the UK.
Editorial independence
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.
Editorial independence
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.
