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Microsoft hopes Cortana will lead an army of chatbots to victory
If Bloomberg Businessweek's latest cover story didn't make obvious enough, the hour or so Microsoft dedicated to it on stage at its Build developer conference should have cleared up any doubts: Cortana as a big part of the company's future. Microsoft wants the AI assistant to do everything, but knows it can't make that dream a reality by itself. The new framework allows developers to build an independent chatbot that plays nice with users and Cortana. Microsoft isn't the only one pursuing the goal of the perfect assistant, though, and there's no telling if its efforts to inspire an army of chatbots will be successful. Although chatbots have been around for half a century, they didn't have a practical use until the internet took hold. SmarterChild, which was popular on AOL AIM and Microsoft Messenger, worked like an advanced directory inquiries, giving out business information, weather and even movie times. Google searches quickly took over this functionality for most users, though, and more modern interpretations have largely taken the form of a personal assistant. Apple's Siri, released in 2011 with the iPhone 4S, blended conversational interactions with basic functionality like opening apps, playing music, and managing calendar appointments. In 2012, Google Now took a more automated approach, surfacing information based on your search results, calendar, and email. Cortana, which debuted in 2013, built on this with greater integrations, deep links into apps and a secure, personalizable "Notebook" that stores user information. In the meantime, developers in China were doing something completely different.
Microsoft's Build 2016 conference by the numbers
Despite somehow managing to stretch 20 minutes worth of actual news into a two and a half-hour slog, Microsoft announced a host of new products and services at its 2016 Build developers conference on Wednesday. The company announced an "Anniversary Update" for Windows 10, new universal social media apps, educational trips to Mars using the Hololens and a new software dev kit for the XBox One. And that's just the start!
Skype gets HoloLens support and help from Cortana
Microsoft isn't just content to work on a universal Skype app -- it has much bigger plans in store. It's developing a version of Skype for HoloLens that, as you'd expect, lets you chat and collaborate with friends using the augmented reality headset. Its exact functionality isn't clear yet, but the allure is clear: you can hold a hands-free video chat while you're walking around the room. Needless to say, that's helpful if you're working on a group project or have your hands full with other tasks. Don't worry if you can't drop $3,000 on a HoloLens unit to try it out, though, as there's plenty coming for regular users.
Cortana will soon make suggestions throughout your day
Cortana has come a long way since debuting nearly two years ago. As time goes by, Microsoft's virtual assistant keeps getting smarter, with features like helping you scan emails to keep track of deadlines. It's also expanded its reach to Android and iOS, the two most popular mobile platforms. Now, as part of the upcoming Windows 10 "Anniversary Update," Cortana will start making proactive suggestions throughout the day.
The next Windows 10 update is all about Cortana
Cortana has learned three languages in the latest Windows 10 update, which is available today for Insider members in the program's Fast ring. Cortana now supports Spanish (Mexico), Portuguese (Brazil) and French (Canada) languages, each with its own specialized flair. "Cortana is fond of pasteis which is a common food found in many regions across Brazil," Microsoft's blog post reads. "And in Mexico, we added local flavor to reflect the accent and language of the country."
Hound's voice-recognition technology books an Uber for you
Virtual assistants are getting better at their jobs. With Siri, Cortana or Google Now on your smartphone, it's not hard to pin down the closest artisanal coffee shop, set up a reminder to water your plants or calculate the quickest commute. But in this race for personal assistance, the service that requires the fewest steps can be expected to win. Hound, the latest natural language voice-recognition entrant, comes with the promise of a hands-free experience.
Cortana helps you keep deadlines by scanning your email
Remember telling Ted in accounting that you'd get the Tuttle figures over by Wednesday morning? No? Well, Cortona does -- it can now read your emails and remind you of any written commitments. Microsoft revealed that the new tweak, and others, are now available in a new Windows Insider release. If you email your spouse promising to get cinema tickets, for instance, then Cortana will pop up to tell you so the next time you open up your PC. The feature works much the same as Microsoft's flight and package tracking, and data is kept locally unless you ask for a reminder. You can also opt out.
Samsung's home tech will eventually plug into Windows 10
Microsoft has revealed that it will join forces with Samsung to develop smart home "internet of things" (IoT) devices that work on Windows 10. The idea is to let people monitor and control washing machines, refrigerators and other appliances using apps on Microsoft's OS. To demonstrate the idea (below), Microsoft used Cortana to query whether a Samsung washing machine was in use and then brought up a chart showing when and how different family members used it.
Microsoft's car sensor sees beyond cameras and radar
Microsoft has teamed up with automated driving firm, IAV to create a sensor that "sees" what cameras and radar might not pick up. Using Azure and Windows 10, the CHAD (connected highly automated driving) vehicle not only lets drivers access Cortana and Skype, but also locates pedestrians hidden from view based on a connection between their smartphone or Microsoft Band 2 (or you know, other connected wearable) and a connected stop light.
Cortana starts rolling out on Cyanogen for OnePlus One
If you're a lucky owner of a OnePlus One phone, you can now find Microsoft's Cortana virtual assistant after updating to the Cyanogen 12.1.1 release. As we've reported, the integration is a particularly intriguing move for Microsoft. It's already launchd Cortana on Android and iOS, but the Cyanogen integration goes even deeper, allowing you to use the "Hey Cortana" voice command just about anywhere on the device. You can even change some phone settings, like enabling silencing or changing network modes, something that Cortana can't do platforms outside of Windows Phone.
Microsoft's AI no longer listens to 'Hey Cortana' on Android
Less than two weeks after Microsoft introduced its hands-free AI helper, Cortana, to Android mobile devices, the company has yanked the feature from the US market. Users used to be able to say "Hey, Cortana" and then issue a command, just like "OK, Google" natively does for Google Now. However, the feature appears to be incompatible with Google's voice recognition system and, in some cases, could make the phone unusable for commons tasks -- like making phone calls.
Netflix's Windows 10 app is at home on PCs and tablets
Microsoft continues to fill out its library of Windows 10 apps, and the latest addition is from Netflix. Upgrading from its old Windows 8 edition to take advantage of the new operating system, this one is a universal app, that will eventually work across PCs, tablets and phones, although it's not ready for that last one just yet. While the team works on extending the experience to Windows 10 phones, the desktop app is rolling out this week for all supported countries.
Microsoft officially launches Cortana on iPhone and Android
After several months of beta testing, Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana is officially making her debut on competing platforms. You'll be able to snag the Cortana app for iPhone and Android phones on their respective app stores, or via Microsoft's Windows 10 companion app, starting today. It'll also be deeply integrated into the Cyanogen OS-powered OnePlus One come December (with the 12.1.1 Cyanogen update). If you've been following along with the Cortana beta releases, there won't be much new with these finalized apps: At the most basic level, you'll be able to track reminders and notifications for things like flights and packages across all platforms, as well as manually ask Cortana questions. Beyond that, Cortana's feature set will be different for each platform.
Microsoft's Cortana iPhone app rolls out to beta testers
Less than a month after kicking off the Cortana for iPhone beta signups, Microsoft has started rolling out the app to people who showed interest in testing it. As TechCrunch points out, the early build is being distributed through TestFlight, a developer-focused service that lets iOS users try applications before their public release. Based on the app's current description, Microsoft is asking testers to set a Cortana reminder on a Windows 10 PC and see how it works with an iPhone, as well as communicate with the virtual assistant and observe how she responds to queries. Back in August, Cortana also arrived on Android via public beta, so it's only a matter of time before Microsoft officially releases it on Google and Apple's mobile platforms.
Windows 10 focuses on Cortana and Edge in first big update
Microsoft is rollingout the first major update to Windows 10 for tablets and PCs. The release focuses on improvements to Cortana, Edge and performance. The personal assistant will now track your event and movie tickets, and even monitor travel time and give you a heads up when you should leave. The update also allows you to book an Uber, in case you need a ride to the theater. And for our international friends, Cortana is finally landing in Japan, Australia, Canada and India.
Cortana for iPhone beta signups kick off
Just as it did with Android, Microsoft is gearing up to bring its Cortana virtual assistant to iPhones. The beta release of Cortana won't have all of its features -- you can't say "Hey Cortana" to wake it up, for example -- but it sounds you'll be able to ask Cortana questions manually and add reminders. Basically, it'll have the same limitations as the current Cortana Android beta. If you want to be a Cortana guinea pig, fill out this survey to sign up for the beta and sit tight for a download link over the next few weeks. Be warned, though, Microsoft also says it's only looking for a "limited number"of people to try it out, and it's currently only available in the US and China. You can be sure it'll open up the Cortana for iPhone beta even more eventually.
ICYMI: Driving fails, global warming bacteria fix and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-252707").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: AAA and the University of Utah teamed up to collect data on how well driver's fare while using voice commands. The results are pretty terrible: Apparently it takes a full 27 seconds for a driver to fully concentrate after attempting to call someone while behind the wheel. Meanwhile Florida may be good for something beyond just the best Twitter account this side of the Atlantic. Researchers there found a strain of deep-sea bacteria that might be able to help fight global warming by attacking greenhouse gases. And a Spaniard got the first implanted 3D printed ribs in the world after a cancer fight. Good on him!
Cortana is available on Xbox One, if you know the right tricks
Microsoft won't officially bring its Cortana voice assistant to the Xbox One until 2016, and it's not even supposed to be available if you're using the console's interface preview. However, that isn't stopping you from trying it ahead of schedule. Gamers have discovered that you can access Cortana in the latest preview simply by visiting the settings menu, going up and mashing the A button multiple times. It doesn't offer the full range of Xbox commands just yet, but you can access any information that's already available in Cortana on other platforms, like your calendar. Think of this as a cheat code for the operating system -- you're getting a peek at something that most preview users won't see for weeks.
Cortana won't help you on Xbox One until next year
If you were hoping to experience Cortana's most helpful version on your Xbox One this year, you might have to settle for her possible appearance in Halo 5 at the end of the month instead. The virtual assistant won't make her full debut to owners of Microsoft's latest console until early next year. Don't fret though: Redmond spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb says that the voice from Master Chief's ear will be available to folks in the Xbox One's Dashboard Preview Program later this fall. There's a joke to be made about rampancy in this news -- I'm almost sure of it. Oh, and speaking of Halo 5, there's a new live-action trailer out today (embedded after the break) that nurtures the seeds of doubt in Spartan 117 that Microsoft's been sowing since the first teaser hit.
Windows 10's Cortana taps into LinkedIn to cure your meeting anxiety
Microsoft's Windows 10 virtual assistant Cortana is getting even smarter today by integrating LinkedIn. If you're using Windows Mail and Calendar for meetings, you can now connect Cortana to your LinkedIn account, which will surface details about the people you're meeting with in Cortana's reminders. That includes information like photos (helpful if you're not good with faces), job titles and a quick link to their entire LinkedIn profile. Naturally, you'll also be able to send a LinkedIn request right from Cortana reminders. This is the sort of integration mobile mail and calendar apps have been including for years now, so it's not exactly new, but it'll still be useful for Windows 10 users. And it's also a fitting example of how third-party companies can tap into Cortana.
