Microsoft has been working on their own voice-activated assistant to take on Apple’s Siri for some time. It is called Cortana, and according to a recent report, it will launch in April.
Microsoft Cortana will apparently launch on Lumia Windows Phone devices in April, and it will feature the voice of Jen Taylor from Halo.
According to a recent report by MSFTnerd, Cortana will launch in beta on Lumia Windows Phone devices this April, in the US.
Features and Capabilities of Cortana
Cortana is designed to be a comprehensive digital assistant, leveraging Microsoft’s extensive experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The assistant will not only respond to voice commands but also learn from user interactions to provide more personalized assistance over time. For example, Cortana can set reminders, send texts, and answer questions by searching the web. It can also integrate with other Microsoft services like Outlook and Office 365 to help manage your calendar and tasks more efficiently.
One of the standout features of Cortana is its ability to understand natural language, making interactions more intuitive. Users can ask Cortana to perform tasks in a conversational manner, such as “Cortana, remind me to call John at 5 PM,” and the assistant will set a reminder accordingly. This natural language processing capability sets Cortana apart from many other digital assistants available at the time.
Expansion and Future Plans
The service will expand to the Bing app for iPhone in the US market this fall. The underlying technology will be extended to American Xbox One & Windows users in 2015 with Threshold. Availability in additional English-speaking territories will be spread out over 2015 & 2016.
Microsoft has ambitious plans for Cortana, aiming to integrate it across a wide range of devices and platforms. By extending Cortana to the Bing app for iPhone, Microsoft is making a clear statement that they intend to compete directly with Apple’s Siri on its home turf. This move will allow iPhone users to experience Cortana’s capabilities without switching to a Windows Phone, potentially attracting a broader user base.
In 2015, Cortana will also become available on Xbox One and Windows devices, further expanding its reach. This integration will allow users to control their gaming consoles and PCs using voice commands, making it easier to navigate menus, launch applications, and even control smart home devices. The rollout to additional English-speaking territories in 2015 and 2016 indicates Microsoft’s commitment to making Cortana a global digital assistant.
As soon as we get some more details on the new Microsoft Cortana voice assistant for Windows Phone, we will let you guys know.
Source MSFTnerd, Phone Arena
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