If you have ever thought it would be great to have access to Microsoft’s Cortana personal assistant from your Android device, you may be interested in a presentation of a new Cortana hack that was shown during the Droidcon 2015 event in Turin.
The presentation demonstrated the Cortana service running on Android devices and connecting directly to Microsoft’s servers, announcing itself as a Windows phone. Watch the video below to see it in action and learn more.
Expanding Cortana’s Reach
The new Android Cortana hack can also speak in any language, making it a versatile tool for users around the globe. The current files are available over on GitHub for you to download and experiment with. This hack opens up new possibilities for Android users who prefer Cortana over other virtual assistants like Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri. Microsoft has designed Cortana to compete with the likes of Apple’s Siri personal assistant and takes its name from the artificial intelligence character in Microsoft’s Halo video game series.
The development of Cortana started in 2009 by Microsoft via the Bing research-and-development team, which at the time was supervised by Satya Nadella. Cortana’s features include being able to set reminders, recognize natural voice without the user having to input a predefined series of commands, and answer questions using information from Bing. These features make Cortana a robust and intelligent assistant that can help streamline daily tasks and provide quick access to information.
Technical Details and Community Involvement
The hack demonstrated at Droidcon 2015 showcases the ingenuity of the developer community. By making Cortana think it is running on a Windows phone, developers have managed to bypass the platform restrictions and bring this powerful assistant to Android devices. This kind of cross-platform functionality is a testament to the flexibility and adaptability of modern software development.
Moreover, the ability to speak in any language significantly enhances Cortana’s usability. This feature is particularly beneficial for non-English speaking users who can now interact with Cortana in their native language. The files available on GitHub allow developers and tech enthusiasts to further explore and customize Cortana’s capabilities on Android devices. This open-source approach encourages collaboration and innovation within the tech community.
In addition to setting reminders and answering questions, Cortana can integrate with various apps and services to provide a seamless user experience. For example, Cortana can sync with your calendar to remind you of upcoming events, send emails, and even control smart home devices. These integrations make Cortana a valuable tool for managing both personal and professional tasks.
The presentation at Droidcon 2015 not only highlighted the technical prowess of the developers but also sparked discussions about the future of virtual assistants. As technology continues to evolve, the lines between different platforms are becoming increasingly blurred. Hacks like this one demonstrate the potential for greater interoperability between devices and services, ultimately benefiting the end-users.
Source: Engadget : VentureBeat : OrangeSec : GitHub
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