Cortana, the digital assistant found on Windows Phone devices, will soon be available on Android and iPhone, Microsoft announced Tuesday. The company's answer to Siri and Google Now has often proven itself as capable as its competitors or more so, but has had the disadvantage of only being available on the minority Windows Phone mobile OS. Microsoft wants everyone to upgrade to Windows 10, regardless of mobile phone preference, so it's making a big push to include Android and iOS in its plans.
The new Cortana app won't be quite as helpful as it is in its native Windows environment, since it can't get at all the same settings and resources, but that may change as Microsoft works to integrate it more deeply. The company also announced a "Phone Companion" program for Windows 10 that lets you easily equip your mobile device with the apps you'll need to access your OneDrive, Outlook email, Office docs and so on.
Expect the Android version of Cortana at the end of June, and the iPhone version at some later date this year. Like Windows 10, they'll be free.
IN-DEPTH
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