Hello, Cortana: Microsoft To Its Bring Digital Assistant To iOS & Android

The name of Windows 10’s game is “interoperability”. Whether you’re on your desktop or smartphone, Microsoft wants you to have access to what matters. That of course implies one thing: you’ll need a Windows Phone. That’s all fine and good, but the market has proven that most Windows desktop users don’t care to use a Windows phone. Are iOS and Android users then screwed out of this interconnection?

Surprisingly, no, not this round. The company has announced that syncing capabilities, its Cortana digital assistant, and other software solutions will be made available for iOS and Android.

Once a phone is connected to a Windows 10 PC, a program called Phone Companion can be opened. Once you choose the type of phone that’s plugged in, you’ll be able to set up Cortana, OneDrive, Skype, and Office mobile apps. Most of this could be done on the device itself, but this is a way to help speed things up.

I think the biggest news here is the fact that Cortana will be made available on alternate OSes. That’s going to prove important for those who make great use of the digital assistant, as it will allow data to be synced between your desktop and mobile, keeping it accessible from anywhere.

I’m sure Microsoft isn’t thrilled to offer even more of its services on competitor devices, but this is a smart move, and one that’s good for Windows 10 users who enjoy syncing as much data with their mobile as possible.