Some features, including saying “Hey Cortana” to open the app, will not work on the Android version of the app.
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Emil Protalinski with VentureBeat stressed that the leak is of the actual.APK file, so Android users can install it by disabling the security setting for sideloading apps.
Cortana, which originally was released for Windows Phone and before that was the artificial intelligence character in Microsoft’s blockbuster Halo series, will be localised specifically for the Australian market.
Microsoft has also announced new features coming to the Xbox app on Windows 10 in the days leading up to the operating system’s release on 29 July.
Even though the Android version of Cortana won’t be as powerful as the one found on Windows phones, it will come with numerous features included. The app runs in background and notifies your remainders. The virtual assistant sets alarms, takes down notes and get information about the wearher, the leakster alleged. But don’t expect all that many Windows 10 features. The beta is said to be available for download in some websites such as Techweez.
We’ve been hearing a lot about how Microsoft is planning on expanding Cortana’s presence from the mobile version of Windows and into the desktop space, Xbox One, iOS and Android too. Instead, Windows 10 will be available on USB. It also lacked some privacy functions that stopped it springing into life when users were busy or asleep.
In China, Microsoft was told by customers that a personal assistant there should sound like they were smiling. Basically, if you buy a Windows OS, have it for five years when a new OS is released, there will still be two years of support left for use on that particular OS.
Those interested in testing the Cortana app for Android must first complete the survey here.
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On Windows devices, Cortana can be brought to life by saying, “Hey Cortana”, as the application is constantly listening for a such a prompt.
