Microsoft today updated its Cortana app for iOS, improving the way the AI assistant works on iOS devices. Designed to compete with Siri, Cortana is a personal assistant that can do things like set reminders, schedule calendar appointments, answer queries, and offer up information you're interested in through machine learning techniques.

Today's iOS app update introduces a revamped look that Microsoft says offers a simpler, better user experience. It's easier and faster to create reminders using the new interface, and there's a redesigned profile and settings page for managing preferences.

cortana
Cortana features improved performance when it comes to page transitions and app responsiveness, and there are also general bug fixes.

We are bringing major updates to make Cortana a better assistant for you:
- A fresh new look with a simpler and improved user experience
- It's now easier and faster to create reminders to help you stay on top of things
- Redesigned profile and settings page to easily manage your preferences
- Improved performance particularly faster page transitions and app responsiveness
- Regular bug fixes and performance improvements

The Cortana app for iOS devices first launched in December of 2015. Cortana is built into Windows devices as well, so customers who use Windows and are accustomed to Cortana may prefer to use the iOS app for reminders and other tasks.

Cortana can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

farewelwilliams Avatar
73 months ago
a new look is not going to make me launch an app to use a voice assistant.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chriscrowlee Avatar
73 months ago
a new look is not going to make me launch an app to use a voice assistant.
Agreed... if only i could set it so i could replace Siri on home button push or say Cortana or OK Google or Alexa... all three make Siri look like a children's toy.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chriscrowlee Avatar
73 months ago
agreed

except for alexa. alexa is terrible.
I have an Amazon Echo, and Alexa on Echo is outstanding. Have you tried it since they updated it to allow for contextual conversations? If you're talking about Alexa on the Amazon app, that I can't comment on. But there isn't much I can imagine would be worse than Siri. Siri is virtually useless.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
btrach144 Avatar
73 months ago
I just wish we could replace Siri with Cortana. Opening an app is cumbersome
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bcatic Avatar
73 months ago
Why is there always a screenshot of 'Get Milk' in these assistants and various to-do apps, but never 'Get Beer'?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
73 months ago
Should be clarified that it's not available in many countries, not even Canada.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Google Assistant

Google I/O 2016: Assistant, Home, Allo, Duo, Android N, and More

Wednesday May 18, 2016 11:51 am PDT by
Google hosted its annual I/O developers keynote at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California today, announcing multiple new products and services related to Android, search, messaging, home automation, and more. Google Assistant Google Assistant is described as a "conversational assistant" that builds upon Google Now based on two-way dialog. The tool can be used, for example,...