Microsoft’s Android Invasion Continues As Cortana Can Now Totally Supplant Google Now
Microsoft has big plans with Windows 10 and Windows 10 for Mobile, but let's face it, Microsoft's shooting for relevancy, not mobile domination. That's okay, because Microsoft can still leverage Android, the most popular mobile operating system in the world (and it's not even close), to its advantage, and that's exactly what it's doing.
You may recall that Microsoft released Cortana for Android last month. It debuted as a private beta, and as of the latest update, Android users rocking Cortana can replace Google Now with Microsoft's digital assistant. That means Cortana, not Google Now, would spring to life when pressing and holding the Home button.
According to WinBeta, you can't say "Hey Cortana" to summon the digital assistant like you can with Google Now, and there are other ways of bringing up Google Now as well. However, the Home button shortcut is a start, and who knows what Microsoft has planned for the next update.
Microsoft has become increasingly interested in Android. There's been talk of Microsoft inking a deal with Google to include services like Office, SkyDrive, and Skype on future versions of Android, and just last month, Microsoft rolled out a new Launcher for Android called Arrow.
None of this means that Microsoft isn't interested in its own mobile OS, but since Android is installed on nearly 8 out of 10 mobile devices around the world, it's easy to see why the company is doing the things it's doing.
If you want to kick the tires on Cortana for Android, go here.
You may recall that Microsoft released Cortana for Android last month. It debuted as a private beta, and as of the latest update, Android users rocking Cortana can replace Google Now with Microsoft's digital assistant. That means Cortana, not Google Now, would spring to life when pressing and holding the Home button.
According to WinBeta, you can't say "Hey Cortana" to summon the digital assistant like you can with Google Now, and there are other ways of bringing up Google Now as well. However, the Home button shortcut is a start, and who knows what Microsoft has planned for the next update.
Microsoft has become increasingly interested in Android. There's been talk of Microsoft inking a deal with Google to include services like Office, SkyDrive, and Skype on future versions of Android, and just last month, Microsoft rolled out a new Launcher for Android called Arrow.
None of this means that Microsoft isn't interested in its own mobile OS, but since Android is installed on nearly 8 out of 10 mobile devices around the world, it's easy to see why the company is doing the things it's doing.
If you want to kick the tires on Cortana for Android, go here.
