Microsoft Begins Sign-Ups for 'Cortana for iOS' Beta Program

[MacRumors]

Microsoft this week began the sign-up process that will let a few iOS users test out an early beta version of its Cortana personal assistant ahead of its wide release sometime next year (via The Verge). Specifically, the company said it's looking for a "limited number of people" in the United States and China, with updates rolling out over the next few months to tweak features and provide any fixes to bugs found by the beta participants.

In the spirit of the Windows Insider Program, we're looking for a limited number of people to get their hands on an early version of the app. It's important to keep in mind that this is the first public release of the Cortana for iOS beta. And that for now, Cortana for iOS is only available in the U.S. and China. Over the coming months, we'll continue to deliver frequent updates to the app to expand the features and functionality.

The company reiterated that Windows is where Cortana "really shines," thanks to a few hardware-specific features, but promises that iOS users can expect a robust personal assistant that makes a "perfect companion" to the Windows experience. Those who are interested in testing out Cortana for iOS can complete a short survey on Microsoft's website to possibly become one of the limited access users of the beta, who will begin receiving download links in their email over the next few weeks.

Article Link: Microsoft Begins Sign-Ups for 'Cortana for iOS' Beta Program

 

[jblagden]

Maybe this will convince Apple to add Siri to Mac OS X.

 

[Alonso Quijano]

Sorry Microsoft, but I'm not downloading an app so can collect and hoard my information.

 

[8692574]

Cortana, Siri and Google now have ups and down, if they only found a way to merge the best of them into one, it would me "Magic"

 

[AdeFowler]

Maybe this will convince Apple to add Siri to Mac OS X.

Personally, I find it of little use on my iOS devices. I can't imagine where I would find it useful on my Mac. Just my opinion.

 

[8692574]

Personally, I find it of little use on my iOS devices. I can't imagine where I would find it useful on my Mac. Just my opinion.

Next song...or open App name X or bookmark this page... it would be cool to tell your computer what to do while you are doing something else.

You are working on photoshop, in a magnified section and instead of going back and forward to the music app or the keyboard, a simple long click of the mouse and then Siri next song or even Hey Siri next song!
After all you gotta find a way to use all that idling cpu!

 

[GCHASE1995]

Just signed up

 

[H2SO4]

Sorry Microsoft, but I'm not downloading an app so can collect and hoard my information.

Are you really that interesting though?
The mods here have your email address, they know the town you live in, probably your name and what you do for a living. They probably know what your status/dispositon is regarding Apple products. Google probably know too and should be spaming you with ads about the Apple Watch, iOS and jailbreaking in general right?

Sheesh!

 

[8692574]

Are you really that interesting though?
The mods here have your email address, they know the town you live in, probably your name and what you do for a living. They probably know what your status/dispositon is regarding Apple products. Google probably know too and should be spaming you with ads right?

Sheesh!

And most likely people share more than they would want to on Facebook

 

[markfc]

Cortana, Siri and Google now have ups and down, if they only found a way to merge the best of them into one, it would me "Magic"

Sirtana Now?

 

[ConnYoungy]

Not being funny but whats the point? It won't have phone-wide access like siri does and you'll have to open the app to use it...

 

[H2SO4]

And most likely people share more than they would want to on Facebook

Facebook is an absolute killer. I’m not on it but I still find myself there, (Yeah, thanks a bunch so called friends and relatives!).

 

[keysofanxiety]

Not being funny but whats the point? It won't have phone-wide access like siri does and you'll have to open the app to use it...

Yeah, that phone-wide access really helps.

"Open CarTunes"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

"Read me my last email"
"I'm sorry, but something went wrong."

"Send a text to Dave's mobile"
"OK, what number do you want to use? Mobile or landline?"

"What time will it be in 7 hours?"
"The time right now is 2PM."
"No, in 7 hours."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"The time! 7 hours! What time will it be in 7 hours?!"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

"Play Burzum's music"
"OK, I found this on the web for 'boring music'". (admittedly on that occasion, it linked me to the song I was looking for, but still...)

 

[jpgr15]

Next song...or open App name X or bookmark this page... it would be cool to tell your computer what to do while you are doing something else.

You are working on photoshop, in a magnified section and instead of going back and forward to the music app or the keyboard, a simple long click of the mouse and then Siri next song or even Hey Siri next song!
After all you gotta find a way to use all that idling cpu!

I have Cortana on my Dell XPS 15 and I have never used it. Just my experience.

 

[KALLT]

Not being funny but whats the point? It won't have phone-wide access like siri does and you'll have to open the app to use it...

It’s not just the voice control, it’s also the ‘pro-active’ part that makes it interesting. Cortana was the first of the three programs that combined voice control with intelligence, whereas Google Voice Search was separate from Google Now and Siri had no intelligence features to speak of. If you have a Windows PC then the experience will be continuous.

 

[jpgr15]

Yeah, that phone-wide access really helps.

"Open CarTunes"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

"Read me my last email"
"I'm sorry, but something went wrong."

"Send a text to Dave's mobile"
"OK, what number do you want to use? Mobile or landline?"

"What time will it be in 7 hours?"
"The time right now is 2PM."
"No, in 7 hours."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"The time! 7 hours! What time will it be in 7 hours?!"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

"Play Burzum's music"
"OK, I found this on the web for 'boring music'". (admittedly on that occasion, it linked me to the song I was looking for, but still...)

...or, "you'll need to unlock your iPhone first"

 

[H2SO4]

Yeah, that phone-wide access really helps.

"Open CarTunes"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

"Read me my last email"
"I'm sorry, but something went wrong."

"Send a text to Dave's mobile"
"OK, what number do you want to use? Mobile or landline?"

"What time will it be in 7 hours?"
"The time right now is 2PM."
"No, in 7 hours."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"The time! 7 hours! What time will it be in 7 hours?!"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

"Play Burzum's music"
"OK, I found this on the web for 'boring music'". (admittedly on that occasion, it linked me to the song I was looking for, but still...)

Thanks for that . The text message one was cute.

 

[ConnYoungy]

Yeah, that phone-wide access really helps.
"What time will it be in 7 hours?"
"The time right now is 2PM."
"No, in 7 hours."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"The time! 7 hours! What time will it be in 7 hours?!"
"I'm sorry, I can't take any requests right now. Please try again later."

Wow. Sounds like you really have trouble with siri...

It’s not just the voice control, it’s also the ‘pro-active’ part that makes it interesting. Cortana was the first of the three programs that combined voice control with intelligence, whereas Google Voice Search was separate from Google Now and Siri had no intelligence features to speak of. If you have a Windows PC then the experience will be continuous.

How proactive can Cortana be if it only has access to features in-app?

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Sorry Microsoft, but I'm not downloading an app so can collect and hoard my information.

I'm more open to trying Microsoft's stuff than Google's, since Microsoft actually sells stuff, so it's possible they wouldn't sell data on me.

 

[akfgpuppet]

Cortana, Siri and Google now have ups and down, if they only found a way to merge the best of them into one, it would me "Magic"

JARVIS will be it's name

 

[OllyW]

The mods here have your email address, they know the town you live in, probably your name and what you do for a living.

I can assure you the forum moderators do not have access to that information.

 

[KALLT]

How proactive can Cortana be if it only has access to features in-app?

It has access to contacts and calendars. Maybe even other stuff. It knows what news sites you read, your frequent locations, your favourite sports team. It’s more of an organiser. You have to consider the app as an extension to what Cortana already does for you on other systems.

 

[Alonso Quijano]

Are you really that interesting though?
The mods here have your email address, they know the town you live in, probably your name and what you do for a living. They probably know what your status/dispositon is regarding Apple products. Google probably know too and should be spaming you with ads about the Apple Watch, iOS and jailbreaking in general right?

Sheesh!

I use a throwaway email on most websites, I don't use my real name online unless I'm filling out government documents, I use a VPN, and I don't use Google.

You don't have to give away your identity online, you know.

I'm more open to trying Microsoft's stuff than Google's, since Microsoft actually sells stuff, so it's possible they wouldn't sell data on me.

Microsoft does sell your data though. They also give the NSA indiscriminate access to their services.

You are aware that before Microsoft purchased skype that the NSA was unable to intercept communications through the service. After their acquisition Microsoft removed Skype's encryption and used their own which they have the NSA access to.

If that doesn't scare you off of using their services then I don't know what does.

 

[furi0usbee]

Personally, I find it of little use on my iOS devices. I can't imagine where I would find it useful on my Mac. Just my opinion.

One of the first things I do is turn Siri off. How many times ask it a question, then it gets like 10 things for me to consider. I can do that with a google search faster.

 

[mambo966]

The survey site is SurveyMonkey, not Microsoft. Is asking for both my Microsoft and Apple ID's... nope... Next!

..."complete a short survey on Microsoft's website to possibly become one of the limited access users of the beta, who will begin receiving download links in their email over the next few weeks.