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Microsoft is Bringing Cortana To Android Lock Screen (mspoweruser.com)

Posted by msmash on from the shape-of-things-to-come dept.

Microsoft is testing out a new way to access Cortana, its digital assistant, from the Android lock screen, with just a swipe. It's a new feature that's clearly designed to replace Google's own quick access, and to convince Android users to switch to Cortana. According to MSPowerUser, Cortana on the lock screen doesn't replace existing lock screens, so you can still use a custom one or the default experience that ships with your Android device. Cortana is activated simply by swiping left or right on the floating logo. Microsoft is currently testing this new feature, and any Android users can opt-in to trial the new beta features over at the Google Play Store.

4 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. Let's all thank Google. by bogaboga · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Android users can opt-in to trial the new beta features over at the Google Play Store

    I'd like to see Apple do something close to this.

  2. I don't want Clippy on my phone! by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't want Clippy 2.0 on my PC and I certainly don't want it on my phone. Very few people actually want Cortana, MS, why do you keep trying to push failing ideas and never know when to give up? You keep digging a deeper financial hole hoping your failed gamble pays off. See Windows Phones.

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  3. Re:Offer, Not Bring by Z00L00K · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We are pushed a lot of stuff that we don't want, and that's one of the reason why so many 'root' their phones these days - to get rid of the bloatware. I got severely bugged by "News Republic" and "Kid Mode", the latter once hijacked my phone and I had some serious problems before I finally got it back to normal. Now when I run a rooted phone I made sure to get rid of it.

    Vendors must be aware that if you bug the users about unnecessary and uncalled for stuff then the users will start to hate you.

    --
    If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
  4. Re:Offer, Not Bring by The-Ixian · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Just to play devils advocate here: There is no other way Microsoft could do it in this case. They don't own the platform.

    I kind of like the arrangement as it stands currently. Google owns the platform but MS (or anyone else) is able to bring their services to it in such a way as to actually compete with the native Google stuff. There is nothing similar on iOS, you just get what Apple gives you in key areas (lock screen, assistant, web browser, etc)

    --
    My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.