Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana is reading up to reach iOS. It is now available in a Beta version for Windows Insiders, and is undergoing testing.
Virtual assistants are getting smarter by the day, and with fences now lowered by all major OS builders, are going more cross-platform. In a major development, Microsoft has planned to bring Cortana to iOS. It recently made Cortana available for the Android platform as well, and is testing the waters with Cortana's efficiency in iOS. While Cortana for iOS is presently under development, it will be available for test purposes to users who are interested.
Microsoft had slated an iOS release for Cortana in June earlier this year, but it will still be bound by the restrictions put up by iOS. So, unlike the deep integration that Cortana achieves on a Windows phone, functionality and usability of the virtual assistant on iOS will possibly be limited. According to Microsoft’s blog post, features like ‘Hey Cortana’, which is used to wake Cortana up in Windows OS, won’t work on iOS. Microsoft does mention that the functionality is not supported ‘yet’, which does entail that Microsoft might be in talks with Apple to add this functionality, as well as other features in the future.
"In spirit of the Windows Insider Program, we’re looking for a limited number of people to get their hands on an early version of the app. It’s important to keep in mind that this is the first public release of the Cortana for iOS beta. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to deliver frequent updates to the app to expand the features and functionality." said Syed N of Microsoft, Forum Moderator and Support Engineer.
The beta version of the Cortana for iOS app will be available to interested Windows Insiders only. If you are a Windows Insider, all you have to do is to fill this survey. The survey requires you to fill details of your Microsoft Insider account as well as your Apple ID. You will have to disclose which iOS device you use, which version are you on, and how often do you use Cortana on your PC. The form also mentions that currently, Cortana for iOS is available only in US and China.
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