Microsoft Cortana Virtual Assistant
Cortana is a voice-controlled virtual assistant for Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1. Comparable to Siri, the intelligent assistant enabled on Apple devices, Microsoft’s Cortana will use the Bing search engine and data stored on the user’s smartphone by to make personalized recommendations.
Cortana Offers Personalized Recommendations
According to Microsoft, users will be able to launch Cortana from the start screen, where the female virtual assistant will offer suggestion for tasks the owner might want to carry out based on location and past behavior. Users can instruct Cortana to find information, schedule appointments, set notifications or remainders and use features of applications installed on the device.
Cortana in the News
Who is Cortana? It’s Halo’s Jen Taylor
Cortana: everything you need to know about Microsoft’s Siri rival
Back off, Siri! Microsoft debuts Halo beauty Cortana
Microsoft Reveals Windows Phone 8.1, Halo-Inspired Cortana
Why are Cortana and Siri female?
Personalization of Cortana for users is largely based on the amount of information the user shares. For example, by allowing access to calendar, email, contacts and browsing history the virtual assistant can use this data to try and anticipate the user’s needs.
As reported on eWeek, Cortana’s answers and suggestions get better as she grows more familiar with the user, courtesy of Microsoft’s search platform. Powered by Bing, Cortana gets to know you, builds a relationship that you can trust, and gets better over time by asking questions based on your behavior and checking in with you before she assumes you’re interested in something.
Who is Cortana?
The virtual assistant is named after the artificially intelligent (AI) system in Microsoft’s Halo video game. In Halo, this fictional AI character provides gamers with the the backstory and tactical information needed to play. Jen Taylor is the voice actress of Halo’s Cortana and is also the voice of the digital assistant. According to Wikipedia, Cortana’s original design was based on the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.
Read Also:
- Fire TV
An entertainment set-top box from Amazon developed to compete with other streaming video offerings like Apple TV, Google Chromecast and Roku. Amazon’s Fire TV costs $99 for the set-top box, and a video game controller add-on can be purchased for $39.99. FireTV streaming video content currently includes Amazon’s own Prime Instant Video cloud television and […]
- Universal Apps for the Windows
Announced on April 02, 2014 at Build 2014, Microsoft’s developer conference, universal apps for the Windows ecosystem enable developers to create one app that can be easily optimized to take full advantage of multiple Windows devices, including tablets, smartphones, desktop PCs and the Xbox One. Leveraging the Windows 8.1 Update According to Microsoft, the universal […]
- Darrloz (Linux.Darrloz)
A worm that takes advantage of a vulnerability in the PHP scripting language to attempt to gain access to a computer or device. Linux.Darrloz uses the vulnerability to seek administrative privileges by providing commonly-used login usernames and passwords. If Darrloz gains access to the computer, it leaves a backdoor on the infected system or device […]
- Linux/Ebury
A strain of malware that allows unauthorized access and control of an affected system. Linux/Ebury is a backdoor Trojan and credential stealer that disguises itself as a variant of OpenSSH for Linux and Unix-style operating systems. In March 2014, software security firm ESET discovered a connection between Linux/Ebury and other malware components such as Linux/Cdorked, […]
- Operation Windigo (Malware)
A collection of malware developed to create a sophisticated network of botnets that can distribute spam, redirect Web traffic and infect users’ computers with malware, all while keeping the location of the cyber criminals perpetrating the attacks a secret. Operation Windigo is believed to have been growing behind the scenes for the past three years. […]