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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-800x707.jpg

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]

Article Link: Cortana for iOS Gains New Look, Faster Reminder Creation and Improved Performance
 
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.
 
Use the command "hey, Cortana, talk over Siri until she gets the hint."

If that doesn't work than she isn't cut out to be an assistant.
 
i would be interested in trying it. I already have abandon siri and use google now when chrome is open.

Siri is just awful, I wish Steve was here to put things back into place
 
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All of these voice assistants fail on the iPhone because you have to launch the app first. It's also what makes using third party browsers and mail clients annoying, they're not integrated enough.

Apple really needs to allow us to set apps for certain things but they never will as they don't want to make it too easy for people to switch services. If you for example could integrate Whatsapp into the official Messaging system or Chrome as the default browser OS wide or Google Now instead of Siri it would make the stranglehold that the iPhone has over us easier to break.

It's so frustrating, the iOS platform while beautiful and efficient is so locked down it drives me mad sometimes thinking about all the missed potential due to their incessant need to shut out competition.
 
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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.

i use alexa everyday on my echo and my tap

from what i've read, the alexa developers manually program every possible way of saying a certain request instead of breaking it down. so if you say things in an uncommon way, alexa can't do it. google/cortana/siri are smarter in that they break down your request, separating subject/predicate, nouns and verbs, and then try to figure out what you're really trying to do.
 
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.
This is part of the reason that I can't bring myself to go back to the iPhone. Apple can't even allow you to choose your own default applications.
 
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.

Choice on things like this, maps, etc. is a wonderful thing.
 
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