Cortana facts for kids
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Cortana on Windows 10 (pre-2004 update)
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
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| Initial release | April 2, 2014 |
| Operating system | Windows, iOS, Android, Xbox OS |
| Platform |
(Coming Soon) |
| Available in | |
| Type | Intelligent personal assistant |
| License | Proprietary |
Cortana is a virtual assistant created by Microsoft. It's like a smart helper that uses the Bing search engine to do things for you. For example, it can set reminders or answer your questions.
Cortana is available in many languages, including English, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. The languages available depend on where you are and what device you are using.
Starting in 2019, Microsoft began to change Cortana's role. Instead of being a main assistant, it became more integrated into other software. For instance, it was separated from the search bar in Windows 10 in April 2019. It was also removed from iOS and Android apps in some countries by January 2020.
What Cortana Can Do
Cortana can help you with many tasks. It can set reminders for you and understand your voice without you needing to type. It also answers questions using information from the Bing search engine. For example, you can ask it about the current weather, traffic, sports scores, or even facts about famous people.
When you search using Cortana on Windows 10, it uses the Microsoft Bing search engine. Any links it gives you will usually open in Microsoft Edge. However, if you are using a screen reader like Narrator, the links might open in Internet Explorer instead.
Cortana also includes a feature that can recognize music. So, if you hear a song and want to know what it is, Cortana can help! It can even do fun things like simulate rolling dice or flipping a coin for you.
There's a feature called "Concert Watch" that checks your Bing searches to learn about your favorite bands or musicians. This helps Cortana tell you about concerts or new music from artists you like.
If you have a Microsoft Band smartwatch connected to your Windows Phone, Cortana can work with it using Bluetooth. This allows it to send you reminders and phone notifications right to your wrist.
Since October 2014, with the Lumia Denim mobile phone update, you can activate Cortana just by saying "Hey Cortana." This means you don't have to press any buttons to start talking to it.
Cortana can also connect with other services. For example, it works with Foursquare to give you recommendations for restaurants and fun places nearby. It can also connect with smart light bulbs like LIFX to help you control your lights with your voice.
See also
In Spanish: Cortana para niños
