After months of beta testing on iOS and Android, Microsoft has officially made its voice assistant, Cortana, available on the two dominant mobile operating systems, as well as Cyanogen OS.
If you use a Windows 10 desktop or laptop, the personal voice assistant will now sync all your data stored in Cortana across your devices. Each operating system offers different features with Cortana, but the basics are that users can set location-based reminders, track notifications like packages and flights, and receive missed call alerts on a Windows 10 PC.
Just like the desktop version, you can use Cortana to look up information and get suggestions, similar to Google Now and Siri.
Just say “Hey Cortana,” when you’re in the app or on your homescreen to activate her, just like you’d say “OK Google,” or “Hey Siri,” to bring up the Android and iOS voice assistants. You can also receive text notifications on your PC, if you have an Android phone. The feature does not work on iOS.
Cortana will be pre-installed via an over-the-air update on the OnePlus One this month, alongside the 12.1.1 Cyanogen update. In the OS, you’ll be able to use the “Hey Cortana” command on any screen, and in any app.
“The custom integration includes the ability to ask Cortana to toggle network modes, power down your phone, and turn on Quiet Mode amongst other features,” Marcus Ash, group program manager for Cortana, said in a blog post announcement. “With Quiet Mode enabled, all notifications, calls and alarms will be silenced.”
Unfortunately the app is only available in the U.S. and China, but it will eventually expand to more countries. It’s available on iPhones running iOS 8 and up, and Android devices on versions 4.1.2 and higher. The OnePlus One is the only Cyanogen device that can run Cortana at this time. Microsoft says integration will be rolled out to additional Cyanogen OS devices next year with “greater functionality.”
Microsoft also announced a partnership with Uber, bringing Uber’s first desktop app through Windows 10. As a part of the deal, Uber is offering a free ride up to $20 for Windows users new to the ride-sharing service with the promotional code “MSFTWIN10”
While you’ll still need to grab the Uber app for Windows 10, this means that with Cortana, all you have to say to your PC is, “Hey Cortana, get me an UberX to Digital Trends, New York City,” or any address, and it’ll let you set your pickup location and request a ride. The app notifies you when your driver is arriving, and you need a phone number to sign up for the account, but existing users do not need a phone to use the app.
The Live Tile for the Uber app will display the estimated time for the driver to appear, so that you don’t have to keep the app open.
You can grab the Uber app for Windows 10 here.
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