Microsoft is bringing one of Windows 10's best features to iPhone and Android

Thanks to the companion Android and iOS app, data will now sync between Windows 10 and your phone

MICROSOFT has released its virtual voice assistant Cortana on iOS and Android smartphones.

 

Microsoft has this week released its digital assistant Cortana for iOS and Android devices.

Similar to Google Now and Siri on iOS, Cortana is able to answer general knowledge and maths questions, perform web searches, create reminders or set alarms, book Uber taxis and more.

Cortana was previously only available on Windows Phone, but Microsoft is now using the service to connect Windows 10 PCs and smartphones running Android or iOS.

This lets Windows 10 PC owners set a location-based alert or reminder from their home computer – and pick it up later on their smartphone.

 

Any information stored in Cortana’s Notebook on your PC including your interests, weather preferences and more, will be ported over to your smartphone and any changes you make on one will be reflected on your other devices.

The Cortana app on Android also allows PC owners to send and receive text messages from their desktop OS. Call notifications will also appear within Windows 10.

Microsoft had previously limited this functionality to customers running Windows 10 on their computer and smartphone.

 

Microsoft has rolled out the companion app on iOS and Android

Available now in the US and China and coming to other markets soon, the new Microsoft app could convince customers to upgrade to the Windows 10 desktop operating system, which is still free.

Microsoft has confirmed the Windows version of Cortana remains more powerful than its iOS and Android counterparts.

"There are some things Cortana can do on Windows phones that aren’t currently possible with iOS or Android," the Redmond technology firm confirmed.

"This includes toggling settings or opening apps, and the ability to invoke Cortana hands-free by saying 'Hey Cortana'.

 

"The ‘Phone Companion’ app on your Windows 10 PC will help you install the Cortana app from the Google Play or Apple App Store onto your phone so you’ll be able to take the intelligence of Cortana with you, wherever you go."

Apple also allows customers to send and receive text messages from their desktop, sync your photo library and start or resume web browsing sessions, documents or emails between iOS and OS X devices.

However – unlike this latest push from Microsoft – this functionality only works for those with Apple mobile device and computers.