Microsoft leveraging Cortana into Windows 10
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One of the favorite things about my Windows Phone is the integration of Cortana, a personal assistant that seems to be a combination of the best parts of Google Voice and Siri, without the other irritations thrown in. Matter of fact, around my household, "let's ask Cortana" is a common phrase (yes, even my girls, 4 and 6 year old girls, say it).
In addition, I love asking her to remind me of "X" or set an alarm for "Y" or wake me up in an hour (of course, the last one is not used at work). Out with the family, we can be spontaneous ... "Cortana, where is the closest Chik-Fil-A," "Cortana, where is the closest beach," and so on.
So, when I heard that Cortana was coming to Windows 10, I was absolutely thrilled. And when I started hearing about how she was expanding in her role, I was ecstatic. So, to bring you up to speed, here's a great article from the Windows blog:
How Cortana comes to life in Windows 10
Of course, I have reservations about people speaking to their computers at work. After all, we're a Google Apps for Business shop at work and even though Google Voice works well in the browser, even the most die hard Google fans don't use GV at work.
Helpful at home? Definitely? At work? Time will tell.
What's your thoughts? Gimmick? Helpful? Time will tell?
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I'm not sure I have an opinion on this kind of service yet. We ordered the Amazon Echo device and should have it soon (a month I think.) Once we get used to using that kind of thing, I might be in a better position to determine if I will find this useful or not.
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mini-nadnerB has been known to ask "Dad can we ask your talking phone xxxxx" every now and then.
EDIT: (I have a Lumia) -
I really like having Cortana now. However, I really despise the fact that I have to have my GPS on to use it(/her?). Especially if I just want to play some music.
Unfortunately, I struggle to find uses for any voice assistant (Google now and Siri included) unless I'm using a hands free kit in my car. -
That name is just so unusual. I feel like it would work best in a context like:
Friend: "So you wanna go to the game?"
Me: "Can't, the old cortana's acting up again. Doctors say it doesn't look good."My wife says it reminds her of an airship from the early 1900s with rich people playing croquet.
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@scottalanmiller said:
I'm not sure I have an opinion on this kind of service yet. We ordered the Amazon Echo device and should have it soon (a month I think.) Once we get used to using that kind of thing, I might be in a better position to determine if I will find this useful or not.
yeah I jumped on the Echo bandwagon as well. In light of the Samsung TV thing, I'm not really keen anymore to having a device around whose job it is is to listen to me talk...
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@Dashrender said:
yeah I jumped on the Echo bandwagon as well. In light of the Samsung TV thing, I'm not really keen anymore to having a device around whose job it is is to listen to me talk...
That's why I specifically pointed out in that other thread why a device from Amazon would be of no concern.
