We already know that Microsoft is working on bringing Cortana to Windows platform. Microsoft’s Marcus Ash (Group Program Manager for Windows Phone – Cortana) and Rob Chambers (Group Program Manager, Applications and Services Group) revealed during a panel that Cortana will move beyond the phone. And a job listing from Microsoft also pointed out the same. They were looking for members to redefine the personalization experience on Windows and to help create serendipitous moments of discovery and satisfaction for the users and enable signature experiences that make Windows your indispensable companion in the real world.
Now, a new report from Neowin described how Cortana works in the internal builds of Windows 9/Threshold. Cortana is now a separate app when launched won’t take full screen. Apart from that, Cortana looks and works similar to how we have seen in Windows Phone devices.
As of right now, Cortana is an app; it’s a simple app that opens up the personal digital assistant where you can then either type in your question or ask verbally inside a smallish window. It’s not a full screen experience like you see on Windows Phone.The app itself currently looks similar to that of Windows Phone, but takes up roughly 25% of your display with Cortana being in the center; Cortana maintains her circle shape and is animated too.
The cool thing about Cortana is that since Microsoft is updating her functionality so frequently, those features are also included in the desktop version as well. Microsoft has already said that Cortana will be updated at least twice a month which means that by the time Threshold launches, Cortana will be significantly more robust than today.
In other Threshold news, builds are becoming more stable as well, certainly not release or even ‘preview’ caliber, but they are making solid progress. Considering how quickly builds are being pumped out and the progress that is being made, a ‘preview’ release later this year certainly seems plausible.
Source: neowin
