Microsoft has released the first public beta of its Cortana personal assistant for Android devices.
The Siri and Google Now rival had been available as a private beta for Google-powered devices, but now everyone can jump on board.
However, Cortana isn’t quite as powerful on Android devices as it is for Windows 10 PCs and Windows Phone handsets. For a start, Android users won’t be able to launch apps or control Android settings directly from Cortana.
There’s also no access to the “Hey Cortana” functionality, as the app doesn’t have full access to the Android system. That’s not to say Cortana hasn’t gotten better since it first arrived in private beta, Microsoft points out.
“The Cortana app can do most of the things Cortana does on your PC or on a Windows phone. With the app, you can manage your hectic lifestyle by setting and getting reminders, searching the web on-the-go, tracking important information such as flight details as well as starting and completing tasks across all of your devices,” a post on the Windows blog read.
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See also: Microsoft Windows 10 review
The official public launch comes a few weeks after a leaked version of the software landed on the web.
Today’s launch is only available in the US at present, but Microsoft says “other markets” will receive it soon.
Microsoft still says the iOS version of the software is in the works, but there’s no word yet on when the company plans to take the fight to Siri.
Have you downloaded the Cortana for Android beta today? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
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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.
