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

[ConnYoungy]

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.

So you're saying Cortana is an iPhone feature for windows users, not an iPhone feature for people who only use iPhones.

 

[KALLT]

So you're saying Cortana is an iPhone feature for windows users, not an iPhone feature for people who only use iPhones.

That’s indeed what I am saying. Compare this with Google Now: there is absolutely no point in using it if you don’t actually have a Google account that you actively use. You can just set up a Google account just for this app, but it would be pointless. It’s the same with Cortana. The app is just an outlet for the platform and/or ecosystem.

 

[Carlanga]

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

you know apple does the same w iOS as well...

This is good news only for Win 10 users, all others like me are just meh, we have seen similar w google now. This is good though to keep everything in sync w your cortana win 10 I guess.

 

[appledefenceforce]

It's mind-boggling to see how people can still complain about how Siri doesn't understand basic commands. I speak English with a strong accent and Siri understands me just fine 90% of the time. And here we have a bunch of native speakers complain about things that Siri can't understand. Not sure if Siri just doesn't like them or their accent, or they're just really trolling hard.

 

[haruhiko]

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.



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.

And now Windows 10 by default turn on every setting that uploads your stuff to their servers. And the OS is free.

You need to ask what time it will be in 7 hours?

Because 2+7 is really difficult you know

I find it ironic they choose China and US first - If it can figure out Chinese language I am impressed.

The Chinese "language" is not difficult. It's the script (Chinese characters) that is difficult.

 

[ScottishCaptain]

Just out of curiosity...

Why would I want a digital assistant running on my iPhone that is named after a character who is now being portrayed as a murderous rogue AI hell bent on enslaving the entire galaxy through violent means?

Did anybody at Microsoft actually bother to read the Halo 5 plot? Or did they just figure that any PR is good PR? Because I've heard from several different people since the release of Halo 5 who think it's very peculiar that Cortana (the digital assistant) was named after a character who is borderline genocidal in the latest game. It would almost be like Apple associating Siri with Skynet on purpose. It just doesn't make any sense.

-SC

 

[Smith288]

Just out of curiosity...

Why would I want a digital assistant running on my iPhone that is named after a character who is now being portrayed as a murderous rogue AI hell bent on enslaving the entire galaxy through violent means?

Did anybody at Microsoft actually bother to read the Halo 5 plot? Or did they just figure that any PR is good PR? Because I've heard from several different people since the release of Halo 5 who think it's very peculiar that Cortana (the digital assistant) was named after a character who is borderline genocidal in the latest game. It would almost be like Apple associating Siri with Skynet on purpose. It just doesn't make any sense.

-SC

Never played one minute of Halo so had no idea. Now the evil person in Halo will be a harmless assistant who helps me find search results and figure out what hour it will be in 7 hours....

 

[flur]

I have been hoping that Apple would feel secure enough in its market position to let us change default apps by now, but I guess not.

This is still one of the major annoyances odd iOS as compared to Android for me, since I use none of Apple's apps on a daily basis, but instead use alternatives with superior functionality, usually purchased from the App Store.

THIS. *smh* Making apps uninstallable, forcing default apps, etc. - there was a time when this was important for them in their brand-building and in the uniform experience, but that time is well past. Now it's a hinderance, it keeps people from wanting to use Apple's devices.

 

[flur]

It's mind-boggling to see how people can still complain about how Siri doesn't understand basic commands. I speak English with a strong accent and Siri understands me just fine 90% of the time. And here we have a bunch of native speakers complain about things that Siri can't understand. Not sure if Siri just doesn't like them or their accent, or they're just really trolling hard.

Likely more effort has been put into making sure Siri understands stronger accents than into the variation of "native" accents that exists. I know that was the case in the early days of voice recognition (I used to "train" machines), and it's likely the case now. So yeah, Siri really does understand you better.

 

[jblagden]

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.



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.

And if you run Microsoft Office, you can just deny it access to the Internet by using the OS X firewall and adding Microsoft Office to the list of sites which aren’t allowed to access the Internet. Though, it also helps to just pay for Microsoft Office outright instead of using Microsoft Office 365.

 

[Alonso Quijano]

And if you run Microsoft Office, you can just deny it access to the Internet by using the OS X firewall and adding Microsoft Office to the list of sites which aren’t allowed to access the Internet. Though, it also helps to just pay for Microsoft Office outright instead of using Microsoft Office 365.

I use absolutely no Microsoft or Google product. I run Arch Linux on my computer and use Libreoffice

 

[Kar98]

Cortana is the tits and steals Siri's lunch.

 

[Black Magic]

Smells like someone is fishing for email addresses and other data via Survey Monkey, pretending to be Microsoft. They're using the free SurveyMonkey plan. MS got out of money?

At that point they just need the password then you will have the next Frappening!