WASHINGTON: Microsoft has decided to bring Cortana to iOS and Android devices sometime after the technology arrives on desktop PCs this fall in Windows 10, according to a new report.
Cortana will be coming to iOS and Android at some point in the future, Reuters is reporting Friday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the software giant’s plans. Cortana would be a standalone app, available in the Google Play marketplace and Apple App Store, and work just as it already does on Windows Phone, according to the report.
Microsoft is also said to be working on enhancing Cortana through the results of an artificial intelligence research project dubbed “Einstein.” Technology gleaned from the project should be able to read and understand emails, and be integrated into the fall iteration of Cortana.
Cortana is Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri, though it arguably takes the features one step further. While Siri is designed to answer queries, like what time it is, or to handle tasks like setting up a reminder or calendar event, Cortana can do that plus provide notifications and updates where applicable. So in the event you have a flight on your calendar, Cortana will alert you when to leave for the airport.
The name Cortana comes from Microsoft-owned game franchise Halo. Cortana is the artificial intelligence presence in Halo that provides players with help and insight as they play through the shoot-em-up.
Microsoft has already incorporated Cortana into its Windows 10 operating system, which will be coming to PCs later this year.
If Microsoft brings Cortana to other platforms, it would represent an important break in strategy for personal virtual assistants. Apple’s Siri is exclusive to iOS, and given the company’s penchant for controlling its own software, will likely never make its way to another platform. Google has its own personal assistant, Google Now, which is only available on Android.
Still, Nadella’s strategy to bring his company’s applications to users is driven by a desire to get more people to use his services. When you ask Cortana to search the Web, for example, it uses Microsoft’s Bing search engine. It’s unlikely that will change if and when Cortana comes to iOS and Android.
If Microsoft decides to deliver Cortana to other platforms, one might wonder whether it’ll actually be allowed in Apple’s App Store. Over the years, Apple has been loath to allow apps that have directly competed with bundled applications, and it took a significant amount of time to allow Google Maps into its App Store to compete with Apple Maps. Since Cortana is a direct competitor to Siri, it’s possible Microsoft could run into the same issues. However, Apple has generally relented and has seemingly loosened some of its restrictions on direct competitors, so Cortana may not meet the same resistance as Google Maps.
