Cortana for Android was released as a public beta earlier today. I installed it on the LG G4 to see how it works. Is it better on Android compared to Windows Phone? Go watch our hands-on video to find out.
The closed beta of Cortana for Android was leaked earlier last month. Now, more people have access to the beta. Depending on your Android device, you can bring up Cortana by pressing and holding the physical home button or swiping up the on-screen home button. You can set this action to Cortana instead of Google Now by default.
If you have been using Windows 10, Cortana on Android looks very similar. Cards show up with the latest news, weather, sports scores, reminders, restaurant recommendations, and more. The hamburger button on the top left corner gives you access to Cortana's Notebook where you can edit settings and preferences. Here are some examples of what you can ask Cortana:
- Is it going to rain today?
- Remind me to pick up the microphone in 30 minutes
- Set the alarm for 7 AM
- Send a text message to Daniel
- Tell me a Joke
Any reminders you request will also sync with your Windows 10 PC, tablets or Windows 10 mobile devices. In this beta for Android, toggling settings, opening apps or invoking Cortana hands-free by saying "Hey Cortana" are not available. Those features are only available on Windows for now.
So, what do you think having Cortana on Android? Sound off in the comments!
