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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.

10 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. Offer, Not Bring by Luthair · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The question is does anyone actually want it.

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
  2. 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.

    1. Re:Let's all thank Google. by Lothsahn · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think the grandparent's comment was about the openness of the platform. Siri and "OK Google" are both available on the lock screen. The key thing here is a 3rd party company's ability to put their own helper on the lock screen, not voice activation from the lockscreen.

      And I do applaud Google for building a product where 3rd parties can do such a thing, but I'm also concerned about their moves to lock down Android by incorporating everything into gapps, blocking competing products like Amazon Underground, etc. We'll have to wait and see if Google tries to block Microsoft from putting Cortana on the lock screen...

      And yes, slashdotters are usually for open platforms and against tracking. Therefore, they often rail on Apple for their closed platform and Windows 10 telemetry for its tracking. It seems like an open platform against tracking would please most slashdotters... I think you'll find many of them like LineageOS, whether they use it or not...

      --
      -=Lothsahn=-
  3. 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
    1. Re:I don't want Clippy on my phone! by Merk42 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I don't want Clippy 2.0 on my PC and I certainly don't want it on my phone.

      Android > Google Now/Assistant
      iPhone > Siri.
      So what phone do you use?

  4. Re:I'm missing something crucial by bigman2003 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Well, here is one really good reason: CHOICE.

    People may prefer Google Now. But if you have no other choice- that sucks. Microsoft is trying to provide an option.

    I can't imagine they are hoping for a big uptake on Cortana on Android. Google Now is so tightly integrated.

    But for everyone complaining about this, or saying, "This is dumb, I don't want it!" - Better to have a choice than not.

    So you don't like one of the choices. Cool. But it's always nice to have options.

    --
    No reason to lie.
  5. Hi! I'm Clippy, er, Cortana. by mmell · · Score: 3, Funny

    I see you're using an Android phone. Can I help?

  6. That would be cool! Except... by Overzeetop · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Cortana is better than Google at answering questions. Unfortunately, unless the question is very simple, she dumps you into a Bing search, which is even less helpful than Now always dumping you into a Google search. If you're interacting via voice, you shouldn't have to look at your phone or press links. At least in Google, you can often read the answer (after you stop driving/doing whatever it was that prevented you from typing in the first place, of course); with Bing, you end up copying the search text so you can paste it into Chrome to get useful links to answers.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?