Microsoft launched its digital assistant Cortana on Windows Phone devices

Microsoft MSFT +0.9% launched its digital assistant Cortana on Windows Phone devices last year and it will be integrated in the taskbar of the Windows 10 desktop operating system this fall. Now there is a rumor that Microsoft is preparing to expand Cortana beyond its own products. An advanced version of Cortana — which utilizes technology from an artificial intelligence research project code-named “Einstein” — will be launched on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets later this year

“This kind of technology, which can read and understand email, will play a central role in the next roll out of Cortana, which we are working on now for the fall time frame,” said Microsoft Research managing director Eric Horvitz via Reuters. “We’re defining the competitive landscape… of who can provide the most supportive services that make life easier, keep track of things, that complement human memory in a way that helps us get things done.”

Microsoft has launched several of its programs on competing mobile operating systems under the leadership of Satya Nadella, who was appointed the chief executive on February 4, 2014. This strategy ensures that Microsoft’s software stays relevant on mobile devices. During Nadella’s first public press conference, he announced iPad versions of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft Cortana uses the Bing search engine to pull up user queries and that will likely be the same case when it arrives on iOS and Android.

Microsoft’s goal for Cortana is to utilize research on machine learning, speech recognition and search queries to anticipate the needs of its users. Apple AAPL -0.72% Siri was designed for responding to statements and questions and Google GOOGL -1.48% Now has predictive information cards based on content that it thinks the user wants to see. Apple implemented similar functionalities as Google Now within the Today View of the Notification Center in iOS 7. Shortly after that, Google built a stripped-down version of Google Now into the Google app for iOS.

When you book a flight and receive an e-mail confirmation, Cortana will send you a notification on your departure and arrival date about the best time to leave for the airport. It automatically checks the flight status and tells you what the traffic conditions are while you are driving to the airport. The individual functionalities built into Cortana are common with other digital assistants, but combining each one together is what makes Microsoft’s digital assistant distinguishable from the others. Cortana is able to report the weather, set up appointment reminders and write text messages using your voice. Microsoft announced Cortana at the BUILD conference in April 2014, which was named after the artificial intelligence character in the video game “Halo.”

Microsoft Cortana / Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft has aired multiple commercials where Cortana makes fun of Siri. Here is one of those commercials: