Why putting Cortana everywhere is good thing for Microsoft and Windows Phone

This morning, Microsoft appear that Cortana would exist jumping ship to Android and iOS as separate apps installable through their respective stores. The news is far from surprising due to by rumors, hints from Microsoft and precedent in porting over previously sectional Windows Phone features.

For Windows Phone users, many may still be shocked at the idea. I would argue if you are astonished by this, you should be paying more attention to the news. Microsoft for the concluding year has been offering all of their services from OneDrive, Function, Bing, Outlook, Garage apps, Xbox games, Microsoft Ring (Wellness), and even their MSN apps to other platforms. Did you actually retrieve Cortana would be off limits?

The thing is Microsoft's strategy of existence completely open is fantastic for all consumers. Notwithstanding, it also benefits them as a company. Hither are a few reasons why Cortana being on an iPhone is welcome news.

1. Cortana is better on Windows 10 Mobile

If you think having Cortana on iOS and Android equally a standalone app is going to and so adept that there would exist no reason to use Windows Phone, you are naïve.

Apple has Siri. Google has Google Now. Both systems are tightly integrated into the hardware too. Apple gives you no mode to override Siri's hardware button (long button press). Google shoves their search engine, Google Now, Cards and whatsoever flavor of the month service down your throat at every turn on Android plus 'Ok, Google' for voice activation. Granted, on Android yous will very probable exist able to 'hack' Cortana into the hardware, but let's not child ourselves into thinking that is mainstream.

My point, nonetheless, is this: When I run the Bing app on iOS, it is very nice. It is not as good though every bit the congenital in Search key on Windows Phone. The aforementioned goes for iPhone users where Cortana is 'only another app' to run.

Nevertheless, without Hey Cortana and other abilities, Microsoft search assistant is only partially awesome on non-native platforms.

Cortana Extensibility in Universal Windows Apps

Last month at Build, Microsoft announced tools for Cortana that developers can leverage when making Universal Windows apps. Developers tin have advantage of:

• Deep linking to app scenarios
• Voice command architecture
• Complete tasks in Cortana
• Find data quickly

App developers tin can have their app icon show upward in Cortana, speak to the user, complete tasks and more than. As a real-world case, you could ask Cortana to "Create a station for Led Zeppelin in Pandora". Cortana volition and so fetch a list of stations in Pandora, allow you choose one and so start the app. Alternatively, developers tin can combine Cortana and Azure for intense searching using the cloud within the app.

For those users on iPhone or Android, this deeper level integration within apps is but non feasible. That is a win for Windows Phone and it will exist a big deal.

2. More data equals a amend product

Cortana is a very data driven technology. Microsoft has been very articulate virtually this fact since the starting time, and luckily they seem to lack the creepiness of Google, who also suck up data for higher-level analysis.

Interestingly, Cortana (at least in the U.S.) is already excellent. However, for the personal banana to abound and expand to new countries, Microsoft needs more users. It is simply through this data collection tin can Microsoft prioritize characteristic development, refine results, and tailor the personal assistant for your needs.

Tossing in iOS and Android users could grow that audience past tenfold. In my conversations with various members of the Microsoft teams over the final few months, I just know they are salivating at the prospect of exponentially more users adopting Cortana. The reason is simple: they already know Cortana is fantastic, but these new data points make their jobs even easier for development.

For Windows Phone and Windows 10 PC users, this just means Cortana tin can speedily abound in terms of abilities by being on iOS and Android too.

One reason people like Google search so much is information technology is omnipresent. The same rationale applies to Cortana too.

3. Being open is being dissimilar

In 2022, it is a very odd state of diplomacy when yous look at Google, Apple tree, and Microsoft. Out of those, Microsoft is now the most open in regards to putting their services everywhere.

Apple tree is – and likely will always be – a closed off ecosystem. The Apple Watch is iOS just and don't hold your jiff for their services jumping over to Android or the PC anytime shortly either. Then again, let'due south be honest here – when was the last time you yearned for iTunes on your phone? Moreover, would y'all really choose FaceTime over the ubiquity of Skype? Besides just being closed-off, Apple'southward services are just more often than not lame.

Google, meanwhile has done a turn for the worse. Back in 2007, I ran a YouTube app for Windows Mobile made by Google. In 2022, Google cannot even be bothered to make that app due to the supposed low market share of Windows Telephone. The amount of Windows Phone users in 2022 certainly dwarfs Windows Mobile users in 2007, when smartphones were completely niche.

Alternatively, wait no further than Android itself, which is increasingly condign less open sourced every bit Google tries to exert more than control over it.

Microsoft, however, is poles apart. They are putting all their services and prime offerings everywhere, regardless of platforms. In today'southward video, Microsoft's Joe Belfiore fabricated this very clear:

"We set out with the goal of making Windows 10 for anybody…and we're going to ensure that Windows x works great with whatever device you have."

They mean it.

This openness by Microsoft is winning back former critics of the software behemothic. Furthermore, consumers similar information technology too. Read some of the comments on other sites about this declaration today and almost no 1 who is on iOS or Android is upset nearly this change. Instead, Cortana expanding has done nil but brand iPhone and Android users excited about some other Microsoft production.

That is an awesome "problem" to have.

Finally, people do not similar being told you 'need to buy this hardware to get this software to piece of work.' Don't become me wrong, if you take a super compelling product you can go away with information technology, but in the long run information technology is a bad business organization decision.

Our devices are becoming less important every bit apps and services dominate the landscape. Considering of this modify, hardware fades into the background.

4. Being airtight does not work

I think for many fans of Windows Phone, they still believe Microsoft should have a closed door policy. Proceed all the unique features on Windows Telephone to Windows Phone.

Xbox, OneDrive, Outlook, Cortana, Bing, Office, Skype should all be locked into Microsoft products. The world volition see the lite and somewhen ditch their iPhones or Galaxy phones for a Lumia.

Unfortunately, this strategy did not work for the first few years of Windows Telephone where many things were exclusive to Microsoft's mobile ecosystem. Mayhap Microsoft blew the 'Xbox phone' strategy or peradventure they were victims of changing times east.thou. the rise of Facebook games.

Cortana already has some momentum behind it. I take spoken with AT&T store reps who remarked nearly iPhone users request if they tin can get Cortana on their phone. Trying to get those people to surrender their iPhone for a Lumia is merely non as easy equally, y'all know, just giving them Cortana.

From the other stop, Cortana has been out for over a yr in the US, and it has washed nada for increasing overall market share hither. If you lot recollect keeping Cortana sectional to Windows Phone is plenty to get people to switch, you are very incorrect.

Microsoft is merely likewise far backside in mobile to play the exclusivity card. That strategy only works when y'all are on acme, which is why Google is now behaving the mode Microsoft did 20 years ago when it dominated desktop.

5. Rile your rivals

How many iOS users will really ditch Siri for Cortana? It is hard to say, but likely not many. Instead, what Microsoft is doing is giving those on an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy a gustatory modality of Cortana and so that maybe on their next telephone buy, they see the value in going all-Microsoft.

Don't forget, this is Google'due south strategy: 'Hey, you similar Gmail and Google Search? Why not take a phone that is all Google "stuff"?' And you know, it works.

The argument here is obvious: if you like OneDrive, if you have an Xbox One, if yous like Cortana, why not go all in with the full Windows 10 ecosystem including Mobile? I already made it clear higher up that Cortana is going to be nonetheless better on Windows ten than on iOS and Android, so there is a value play here.

Microsoft has also stated this numerous times, noting that the best feel is on Windows x devices. This fact is demonstrably true since Microsoft is opening up the APIs to all of their services to app developers, who can then natively code deep-linked Windows apps.

Finally, yous have to ask exercise you call up Cupertino is not feeling a bit threatened? What nigh Google, the search giant? If they see their customers starting to adopt OneDrive, Outlook, Bing, Cortana, Office and more to their offerings, that is a big problem for them in the long term. Bing, to this dismay of many, now accounts for 1-in-5 searches (and 30 percent if you include Yahoo!). Cortana on Android only augments that growth.

I practise not see any scenario here in which Google is pleased with seeing all of these Microsoft services not only landing on Android, but doing well too.

Social scientists have a name for this stategy. It is chosen Pes-in-the-door (FITD) technique and it is something companies routinely fear happening to their customers.

Decision

Cortana going to the iPhone and Android is happening. Although information technology remains to be seen what it does for Microsoft in the long run – and if Windows 10 will even resonate with customers – this was their only true choice for a strategy.

In 2022, Microsoft does not have the prestige to dictate to consumers "switch or find something else." The world is very different, and people comport multiple devices. There is that guy out there who carries an Android tablet, a Windows laptop, and an iPhone, I clinch yous. The question is, does Microsoft ignore that person or requite them the best services around?

None of this would affair if Microsoft'southward new products and services were not respectable. The fact is, Outlook, OneDrive, Skype, Cortana, Xbox Music and more are exciting and well-done $.25 of software. Why non let the world experience it, build the visitor's prototype and get a household brand again?

With Cortana going everywhere, it can practise what Google did for search years ago: become synonymous with the service.

So far, Google At present and Siri are locked in virtual cages on their platforms. Cortana though, especially with Windows 10 and the Internet of Things, can go anywhere. The fact that Cupertino or Mountain View cannot see this opportunity works to Microsoft'south advantage.

In five years fourth dimension if you see Cortana working on your Boob tube, phone, PC, tablet, smartwatch even your fridge, you may understand why today's announcement is a righteous thing.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/5-reasons-why-cortana-everywhere-good

Posted by: kennedysence1957.blogspot.com

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