Cortana (virtual assistant)

Cortana
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseApril 2, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-04-02)[1]
Stable release(s) [±]
Android3.3.3.2753-enus-release / November 29, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-11-29)[2]
iOS3.3.3 / November 30, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-11-30)[3]
Preview release(s) [±]
Android3.3.3.2753 / November 29, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-11-29)[4]
Operating systemWindows, Windows Phone, iOS, Android, Xbox OS
Platform
SuccessorMicrosoft Copilot
Available in
TypeIntelligent personal assistant
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana

Cortana was a virtual assistant developed by Microsoft that used the Bing search engine to perform tasks such as setting reminders and answering questions for users.

Cortana was available in English, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese language editions, depending on the software platform and region in which it was used.[8]

In 2019, Microsoft began reducing the prevalence of Cortana and converting it from an assistant into different software integrations.[9] It was split from the Windows 10 search bar in April 2019.[10] In January 2020, the Cortana mobile app was removed from certain markets,[11][12] and on March 31, 2021, the Cortana mobile app was shut down globally.[13] On June 2, 2023, Microsoft announced that support for the Cortana standalone app on Microsoft Windows would end in late 2023 and would be replaced by Microsoft Copilot, an AI chatbot.[14] Support for Cortana in the Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft 365 mobile apps was discontinued in fall of 2023.[15]

  1. ^ Levy, Karyne (April 2, 2014). "Microsoft Has Its Own Version Of Siri, A Voice Assistant Called 'Cortana'".
  2. ^ Microsoft Corporation. "Cortana". Play Store. Google. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  3. ^ Microsoft Corporation. "Cortana". App Store. Apple. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  4. ^ "Cortana – Digital assistant". APKMirror. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  5. ^ Foley, Mary Jo (March 4, 2014). "Microsoft's 'Cortana' alternative to Siri makes a video debut". ZDNet.
  6. ^ Risley, James (March 30, 2016). "Microsoft introduces Cortana-powered chatbot for Skype, opening up framework to developers". Geek Wire.
  7. ^ Warren, Tom (May 7, 2018). "Microsoft demonstrates Alexa and Cortana integration". Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "Cortana's regions and languages". Microsoft. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  9. ^ Bowden, Zac (November 5, 2019). "Microsoft to remove Cortana from Microsoft Launcher on Android".
  10. ^ Lopez, Napier (January 17, 2019). "Windows 10's search bar and Cortana split up on good terms". Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  11. ^ Warren, Tom (November 16, 2019). "Microsoft is killing off its Cortana app for iOS and Android in January". Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  12. ^ "Microsoft's killing the Cortana app in most markets next year". thenextweb. November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  13. ^ Warren, Tom (April 1, 2021). "Microsoft shuts down Cortana on iOS and Android". The Verge. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Microsoft is killing Cortana on Windows starting late 2023". BleepingComputer. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "End of support for Cortana - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.