Cortana is now available on Android and iOS through select markets.
Microsoft has officially launched the personal assistant Cortana on Android and iOS devices, though it’s currently only available for download in the US and China. The Google Now and Siri competitor was previously available in a closed BETA while Microsoft got feedback and tested the application.
As we already know, Microsoft can’t currently offer the same level of integration as with Windows Phone’s. This is due to the underlying architecture of iOS and Android locking certain features out and also because the company wants the Windows version to retain some exclusive features. However, their partnership with Cyanogen could change all this and is expected to include deeper voice commands such as “Hey Cortana”.
The release of Cortana on competing devices represents a shift in Microsoft’s focus from their own mobile sector to a wider ecosystem. Rather than focusing on getting people to adopt Windows Phone devices, the company is now trying to join the desktop experience with all smartphone devices, irrespective of the underlying OS.
There’s currently no word on a UK release date but we would expect it here pretty soon.
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Via The Verge
