Say What? Microsoft Invites iPhone Users To Ditch Siri, Beta Test Cortana
Don't be taken aback if you someone barking commands to Cortana into their iPhone 6s Plus. They're not necessarily confused with technology, but perhaps taking advantage of Cortana on iOS. That's right, Microsoft is rolling out its personal digital assistant to iOS device much in the same way it did for Android gadgets.
Like Cortana for Android, using the digital assistant on iOS comes with some feature restrictions. For example, saying "Hey Cortana" won't wake her up on an iPhone like it does on Windows 10 devices (assuming you have the feature turned on). And while not stated in the announcement, it's unlikely that you'll be able to open apps through Cortana on iOS, as that's a feature it doesn't support in Android.
So, what can you do? Cortana on iOS can help iPhone and iPad users perform basic tasks like sending emails, scheduling events, and tapping into Bing to perform searches, Microsoft says. Cortana can also set reminders on iOS devices.
Bear in mind that this is a beta version that Microsoft's serving up, and not everyone gets to play.
"In the 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," Microsoft says. " And that for now, Cortana for iOS is only available in the U.S. and China. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to deliver frequent updates to the app to expand the features and functionality."
If you're interested in trying out Cortana on an iOS device, head here to fill out a short survey.
Like Cortana for Android, using the digital assistant on iOS comes with some feature restrictions. For example, saying "Hey Cortana" won't wake her up on an iPhone like it does on Windows 10 devices (assuming you have the feature turned on). And while not stated in the announcement, it's unlikely that you'll be able to open apps through Cortana on iOS, as that's a feature it doesn't support in Android.
So, what can you do? Cortana on iOS can help iPhone and iPad users perform basic tasks like sending emails, scheduling events, and tapping into Bing to perform searches, Microsoft says. Cortana can also set reminders on iOS devices.
Bear in mind that this is a beta version that Microsoft's serving up, and not everyone gets to play.
"In the 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," Microsoft says. " And that for now, Cortana for iOS is only available in the U.S. and China. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to deliver frequent updates to the app to expand the features and functionality."
If you're interested in trying out Cortana on an iOS device, head here to fill out a short survey.
