Microsoft's Cortana Coming to iOS, Android

Microsoft today announced that its Cortana digital assistant will be available on iOS and Android when Windows 10 launches later this year.

Windows 10 Bug ArtIt will work "as a companion to Cortana on your Windows 10 PC," Redmond said in a blog post. "The 'Phone Companion' app on the PC will help you install the Cortana app from the Google Play or Apple App Store onto your phone so you'll be able to take the intelligence of Cortana with you, wherever you go."

"The Cortana app can do most of the things Cortana does on your PC or on a Windows phone," wrote Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Microsoft's Operating Systems Group. "You can have Cortana remind you to pick up milk the next time you're at the grocery store, and then your phone will wake up and buzz with the reminder. You'll be able to track a flight using Cortana on both your phone and your PC, and get the updates on the device that you're on so you don't miss anything."

Changes to Cortana's Notebook—where you set up your interests, calendar, and daily routine—will sync across all devices, Belfiore said.

Due to iOS and Android restrictions, Windows Phone users will get more Cortana functionality, like toggling settings, opening apps, turning on hands-free access by saying "Hey Cortana."

Overall, the Phone Companion app links your phone—whether that's an iPhone or Android device—to your Windows 10 PC. Click Phone Companion on your desktop, select the type of phone you have, and activity will be available on the PC and your mobile device.

That includes storing music and photos taken on your phone to OneDrive, accessing notes written via OneNote on your PC from your phone, or working on Office docs.

:story: PC Magazine