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Microsoft's New Cortana vs. Siri Ad Shows Off HTC One M8 for Windows, Mapping Features

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Microsoft today launched a new commercial comparing its Cortana virtual assistant and the HTC One M8 for Windows to Siri and the iPhone 5s, showing a variety of hardware features and software integration that isn't possible with Apple's device.

The ad is titled "Siri vs. Cortana - Mirror Mirror" and depicts Cortana and Siri talking to each other about a number of features on the new HTC One M8 for Windows. Cortana demonstrates how it can work with a user's calendar and traffic to provide route and mapping information, while also showing off the HTC One M8's dual front-facing speakers. The commercial ends with Siri remarking that she only has one speaker and that she is "sitting on it," referring to the speaker placement on the iPhone.

The new ad follows a commercial released in July showing off Cortana's ability to perform contextually-aware tasks and poking fun at Siri's inability to do the same. Cortana was originally announced earlier this year as a part of Windows Phone 8.1, with Microsoft emphasizing the virtual assistant's ability to relate tasks to people and places. A Windows Phone manager also stated in June that Microsoft would like Cortana to be on other mobile platforms, perhaps hinting at an expansion of the assistant to iOS and Android.

Article Link: Microsoft's New Cortana vs. Siri Ad Shows Off HTC One M8 for Windows, Mapping Features
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/02/cortana-vs-siri-htc-one-m8-windows-mapping/
Won't this be slightly awkward in a week when the new iPhone comes out with supposed "better Siri"?
 
Is this ad not a bit false given that Siri no longer sounds like that and hasn't since iOS 7 was introduced? That's the old, very robotic sounding Siri from iOS 6.
 
That last line is funny as ****! The whole advert is funny and interesting but...

the voice of cortana doesn't sound good. Its not the original from the game HALO = epic fail!!!!!!!! Microsoft must really want to fail. Steve Jobs was right, they just don't get it. They have a license to print money with Cortana from HALO and they **** it up. :rolleyes:
 
When compared to Samsungs cutting, junky, often truth-twisting commercials that are just out to spawn haters on both sides, this is a very nice commercial...
 
Last edited:
RebornProphet said:
Is this ad not a bit false given that Siri no longer sounds like that and hasn't since iOS 7 was introduced? That's the old, very robotic sounding Siri from iOS 6.
Click to expand...

Heh. As an iOS 6.1 user I didn't even know they'd changed the voice. I don't particularly like it in 6. I remember using System 7.5 and thinking "if only it sounded more like a person, maybe one day...." then Mac OS 9.2 "...still sounds exactly the same..." then Mac OS 10.4, 5, 6.... exactly the same :/

Finally, lol.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if they got the original voice actor for Cortana to do that instead of actually using Cortanas voice

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RebornProphet said:
Is this ad not a bit false given that Siri no longer sounds like that and hasn't since iOS 7 was introduced? That's the old, very robotic sounding Siri from iOS 6.
Click to expand...

They have to. It's difficult to record the iOS 7 Siri voice. The old one is just available as a voice option on the mac as "Samantha"
 
justinhu8 said:
I wouldn't be surprised if they got the original voice actor for Cortana to do that instead of actually using Cortanas voice
Click to expand...

The best thing Microsoft could do at this point is to license different voices based on xbox games. Call of Duty, HALO etc = so many happy gamers using their phones as an extension of their favourite games. Apple had the opportunity and its been mentioned in the past multiple times but they have done nothing with signing "celebrity" voices for siri. Though I don't think celebrity voices would have as much pull as gamers favourite characters. Who knows maybe Apple will get it first and users can all speak to their phone as their favourite movie characters.
 
Windows OS on mobile is actually brilliant, maybe better then iOS


But when you have no app support it doesn't matter if you have the greatest OS of all time
 
Not wrong Siri lags behind but Now is in a league of its own currently. Be nice to see siri reach that type of standard. Now is so informative, gives loads of information. Siri improved on iPhone 6? Ios8 its still the same.
 
Zxxv said:
That last line is funny as ****! The whole advert is funny and interesting but...

the voice of cortana doesn't sound good. Its not the original from the game HALO = epic fail!!!!!!!! Microsoft must really want to fail. Steve Jobs was right, they just don't get it. They have a license to print money with Cortana from HALO and they **** it up. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I love Apple operating systems. I have to admit though, there are more PCs running Windows out there than there are machines running OSX, and you think Microsoft don’t get it?

I’m not sure I believe the ads that have come out for this kind of thing though. I’d love to actually be able to get two phones side by side and see what really happens for myself.
 
H2SO4 said:
I love Apple operating systems. I have to admit though, there are more PCs running Windows out there than there are machines running OSX, and you think Microsoft don’t get it?

I’m not sure I believe the ad though. I’d love to actually be able to get two phones side by side and see what really happens for myself.
Click to expand...

cheap ugly looking ****. yes they get people are tight and will put up with ugly frustrating virus ridden experiences to save a few bucks. yes they get making these peoples lives worse than they could be is profitable. yes they think this energy in the world is ok so long as they sit on their boats and dine in fine restaurants. yes they don't give a crap. yes they get rich. but we are here for apple who do get it remember
 
Zxxv said:
cheap ugly looking ****. yes they get people are tight and will put up with ugly frustrating virus ridden experiences to save a few bucks. yes they get making these peoples lives worse than they could be is profitable. yes they think this energy in the world is ok so long as they sit on their boats and dine in fine restaurants. yes they don't give a crap. yes they get rich. but were here for apple who do get it remember
Click to expand...

So you’ve missed it too. On the balance of the things that are there; cost, design, accessibility, usage etc etc, the reality is that most businesses and individuals have chosen M$. FACT.
I prefer and may have chosen Apple, you may have chosen them also for the same reasons but all in, most haven’t.
Still say MS don’t get it?
 
H2SO4 said:
So you’ve missed it too. On the balance of the things that are there; cost, design, accessibility, usage etc etc, the reality is that most businesses and individuals have chosen M$. FACT.
I prefer and may have chosen Apple, you may have chosen them also for the same reasons but all in, most haven’t.
Still say MS don’t get it?
Click to expand...

i stand by what i said. :)
 
Zzzz... call me when Nintendo makes a smart phone with a voice assistant that sounds like Mario
 
When will these ads stop? I don't really see these making people wanting to buy Microsofts stuff. I actually see these ads reminding people about Siri/Apple and making them go buy an Apple product.
 
I like it!

I like these ads. :eek: They certainly get Apple's attention. Nothing like pointing out real deficiencies like no multi-tasking on the iPad,more intelligent assistants, etc. This can only lead to a better iOS. I have no desire for anything Microsoft but I, for one, am happy they're hitting Apple as hard as they can.
 
I feel like these Cortana ads have been pretty good. There are too many other reasons I could never use a Windows phone right now, but they are showing capabilities that I can imagine finding useful, and the sort of things that I have been baffled that Siri cannot yet do.

I do agree with what others have said about Siri not sounding like that at all really, but I'd guess they can't get away with legally using the actual Siri voice, and because of that they decided to make their imitation sound poor on purpose.
 
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