Microsoft just recently started sharing their very own Cortana assistant over other platforms. This iconic virtual assistant has been made available to Android and iOS users in the form of a third party app. The said app was released yesterday on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store and they can be installed for free.
We have all met Cortana as a Windows exclusive assistant, but Microsoft aims to expand its scope which is why the said exclusivity was dissolved. In fact, Cortana isn't the only Windows thing Microsoft opened to the public. OneDrive and Office Suite were also made available on other platforms for free, which means that Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft OneNote can all be installed in your device even if you're using an Android or an iOS device. The company's goal to be present all across platforms is something they take seriously, the company even managed to take over Dropbox in the latest Samsung flagships.
Right now, Cortana has only been made available in the US and China, but international release can also be expected soon enough.
Cortana being a separate app, makes a great combination with either Google Now and Siri. Windows' own assistant is a bit more personal at times, and it tracks your interest and schedules as well, making it extra useful for busy people. It also provides the updates that you need, as well as provide you answers to relevant questions.
Cortana is one of Microsoft's latest additions to its family and it's not just a useless addition whose sole purpose is go with the trend. According to Microsoft, Cortana is your clever personal assistant. She cannot only search the web for you, she can also help you find things on your computer - the one task we all dread to do. Not only that, the thing with Cortana is that, the more you let her help you out, the more she learns about your needs, thus, the more useful she becomes. On top of all this, Microsoft says she even tells jokes, but whether they're funny ones or not, that's hard to measure.