View source for Software:Cortana (virtual assistant)

{{short description|Personal assistant by Microsoft}}
{{Hatnote|For the Halo character and namesake, see Cortana (Halo).}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Cortana
| logo = Microsoft Cortana transparent.svg
| logo caption = Cortana logo
| screenshot = Cortana on Windows 10.png
| screenshot_size = 270px
| caption = Cortana on [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] version 22H2
| developer = [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]
| released = {{start date and age|2014|4|2}}<ref name=cortanaBUILD>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsofts-cortana-voice-assistant-2014-4|title=Microsoft Has Its Own Version Of Siri, A Voice Assistant Called 'Cortana'|last=Levy|first=Karyne|date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>
| discontinued = 
| ver layout = stacked
| programming language = <!-- Do NOT add a programming language unless you have a reliable source. Quora is not a reliable source. -->
| operating system = [[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Windows Phone|Windows Phone]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], Xbox OS
| platform = {{plainlist|
* [[Software:Windows 11|Windows 11]] 
* [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]]
* [[Software:Windows 10 Mobile|Windows 10 Mobile]]
* [[Software:Windows Phone 8.1|Windows Phone 8.1]]<ref name="foley">{{cite news|last= Foley|first=Mary Jo|title= Microsoft's 'Cortana' alternative to Siri makes a video debut|url=http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-cortana-alternative-to-siri-makes-a-video-debut-7000026987/|newspaper=ZDNet|date=March 4, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Engineering:Invoke (smart speaker)|Harman Kardon Invoke]]
* [[Engineering:Microsoft Band 2|Microsoft Band 2]]
* [[Engineering:Microsoft Band|Microsoft Band]]
* Surface Headphones
* [[Software:Skype|Skype]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/microsoft-introduces-cortana-powered-chatbot-for-skype-opening-up-framework-to-developers/|title=Microsoft introduces Cortana-powered chatbot for Skype, opening up framework to developers.|work=Geek Wire|date=March 30, 2016|first=James|last=Risley}}</ref>
*[[Software:Windows Mixed Reality|Windows Mixed Reality]]
*[[Software:Amazon Alexa|Amazon Alexa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/7/17326808/microsoft-cortana-update-alexa-integration-build-2018|title=Microsoft demonstrates Alexa and Cortana integration|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=May 7, 2018|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref>
}}
| replaced_by = [[Software:Microsoft Copilot|Microsoft Copilot]]
| language = {{flatlist|
*[[Social:English language|English]]
*[[Social:French language|French]]
*[[Social:Chinese language|Chinese]] (Mandarin)
*[[Social:German language|German]]
*[[Social:Spanish language|Spanish]]
*[[Social:Italian language|Italian]]
*[[Social:Japanese language|Japanese]]
*Brazilian Portuguese
}}
| genre = Intelligent personal assistant
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana}}
}}
'''Cortana''' is a discontinued [[Engineering:Virtual assistant|virtual assistant]] developed by [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]], that used the [[Software:Microsoft Bing|Bing]] search engine to perform tasks such as setting reminders and [[Question answering|answering questions]] for users.

Cortana was available in [[Social:English language|English]], [[Social:Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Social:French language|French]], [[Social:German language|German]], [[Social:Italian language|Italian]], [[Social:Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Social:Chinese language|Chinese]], and [[Social:Japanese language|Japanese language]] editions, depending on the software platform and region in which it was used.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/instantanswers/557b5e0e-0eb0-44db-87d6-5e5db6f9c5b0/cortana-s-regions-and-languages|title=Cortana's regions and languages|work=Microsoft|access-date=September 18, 2016}}</ref>

In 2019, Microsoft began reducing the prevalence of Cortana and converting it from an assistant into different software integrations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-remove-cortana-microsoft-launcher-android|title=Microsoft to remove Cortana from Microsoft Launcher on Android|last=Bowden|first=Zac|date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> It was split from the [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] search bar in April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2019/01/17/windows-10s-search-bar-and-cortana-split-up-on-good-terms/|title=Windows 10's search bar and Cortana split up on good terms|last=Lopez|first=Napier|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> In January 2020, the Cortana mobile app was removed from certain markets,<ref name=":1">{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=November 16, 2019|title=Microsoft is killing off its Cortana app for iOS and Android in January|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/16/20967875/microsoft-cortana-ios-android-app-removal-countries-support-document|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|date=November 19, 2019|title=Microsoft's killing the Cortana app in most markets next year|url=https://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2019/11/18/microsoft-cortana-app/|access-date=November 21, 2019|website=thenextweb}}</ref> and on March 31, 2021, the Cortana mobile app was shut down globally.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=April 1, 2021|title=Microsoft shuts down Cortana on iOS and Android|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/1/22361687/microsoft-cortana-shut-down-ios-android-mobile-app|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> On June 2, 2023, Microsoft announced that support for the Cortana standalone app on Microsoft Windows would end later in 2023 and would be replaced by [[Software:Microsoft Copilot|Microsoft Copilot]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft is killing Cortana on Windows starting late 2023 |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-is-killing-cortana-on-windows-starting-late-2023/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=BleepingComputer |language=en-us}}</ref> Currently, Cortana is only available in the [[Software:Microsoft Outlook|Microsoft Outlook]] mobile app.<ref name="support.microsoft.com">{{Cite web |title=End of support for Cortana - Microsoft Support |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/end-of-support-for-cortana-d025b39f-ee5b-4836-a954-0ab646ee1efa |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=support.microsoft.com}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Beginnings (2009-2015) ===
The development of Cortana started in 2009 in the [[Software:Microsoft Speech API|Microsoft Speech]] products team with general manager Zig Serafin and Chief Scientist Larry Heck. Heck and Serafin established the vision, mission, and long-range plan for Microsoft's digital personal assistant and they built a team with the expertise to create the initial prototypes for Cortana.<ref name="MicrosoftResearchCortanaDevelopment">{{cite news|url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/cortana-041614.aspx |title=Anticipating More from Cortana |last=Microsoft Research |date=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=[[Organization:Microsoft Research|Microsoft Research]] blogs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215848/http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/cortana-041614.aspx |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> Some of the key researchers in these early efforts included Microsoft Research researchers Dilek Hakkani-Tür, Gokhan Tur, Andreas Stolcke, and Malcolm Slaney, research software developer Madhu Chinthakunta, and user experience designer Lisa Stifelman. To develop the Cortana digital assistant, the team interviewed human personal assistants. The interviews inspired a number of unique features in Cortana, including the assistant's "notebook" feature. Originally, ''Cortana'' was meant to be only a [[List of Microsoft codenames|codename]], but a petition on Windows Phone's [[Company:UserVoice|UserVoice]] site proved to be popular and made the codename official.<ref name=TheVergeCortanaDevelopment>{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Tom|title=The story of Cortana, Microsoft's Siri killer.|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5570866/cortana-windows-phone-8-1-digital-assistant|newspaper=The Verge|date=April 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://community.windows.com/en-us/videos/cortana-a-digital-assistant-with-personality-and-smarts/cZo045p0J4Y|title=Cortana: a digital assistant with personality and smarts|website=community.windows.com|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117063259/https://community.windows.com/en-us/videos/cortana-a-digital-assistant-with-personality-and-smarts/cZo045p0J4Y|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Cortana was demonstrated for the first time at the Microsoft Build [[Programmer|developer]] conference in {{wipe|San Francisco}} in April 2014.<ref name="cortanaBUILD" /> It was launched as a key ingredient of Microsoft's planned "makeover" of future [[Operating system|operating system]]s for Windows Phone and Windows.<ref name="foley" />

It was named after Cortana,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/mobile/why-microsoft-named-its-siri-rival-cortana-after-halo-character-n71056|title=Why Microsoft Named Its Siri Rival 'Cortana' After a 'Halo' Character|author=Julianne Pepitone|work=NBC News|date=April 3, 2014 }}</ref> a [[Synthetic intelligence|synthetic intelligence]] character in Microsoft's ''Halo'' video game franchise originating in [[Company:Bungie|Bungie]] folklore,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marathon.bungie.org/story/cortana.html|title=Marathon's Story... Facts and puzzling things about... Cortana|work=bungie.org}}</ref> with Jen Taylor, the character's voice actress, returning to voice the personal assistant's US-specific version.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|last=Blair|first=Nancy|title=Who is Cortana? It's Halo's Jen Taylor|url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/04/02/voice-of-cortana-jen-taylor/7223357/ |newspaper= [[Software:USA Today|USA Today]]|date= April 3, 2014}}</ref>

=== Expansion (2015-2019) ===
[[File:Cortana White Interface.png|thumb|220px|Cortana white interface on Windows 10 Mobile]]
In January 2015, Microsoft announced the availability of Cortana for [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] desktops and mobile devices as part of merging Windows Phone into the operating system at large.

On May 26, 2015, Microsoft announced that Cortana would also be available on other mobile platforms. An [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] release was set for July 2015, but the Android APK file containing Cortana was leaked ahead of its release. It was officially released, along with an iOS version, in December 2015.<ref name=VentureBeatPhoneCompanion>{{cite news|last=Sawers|first=Paul|title=Microsoft announces Phone Companion app for Windows 10 and teases Cortana for Android and iOS.|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/05/26/microsoft-announces-phone-companion-app-for-windows-10-and-teases-cortana-for-android-and-ios/|newspaper=VentureBeat|date=May 26, 2015}}</ref>

During E3 2015, Microsoft announced that Cortana would come to the [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]] as part of a universally designed Windows 10 update for the console.<ref name=TheVergeXboxOneCortanaLaunch>{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Tom|title=Xbox One dashboard update includes a huge new design and Cortana.|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/15/8786501/microsoft-xbox-one-dashboard-update-features|newspaper=The Verge|date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>

Microsoft integrated Cortana into numerous products such as [[Software:Microsoft Edge|Microsoft Edge]].<ref name="PC-World-Microsoft-Cortana-Microsoft-Edge">{{cite news|last= Hachman|first= Mark|title= Microsoft's Edge web browser roadmap includes more Cortana scenarios, extensions.|url= http://www.pcworld.com/article/2919033/microsofts-edge-web-browser-roadmap-includes-more-cortana-scenarios-extensions.html|newspaper= PC World|date= May 5, 2015}}</ref> Microsoft's Cortana assistant was deeply integrated into the browser. Cortana was able to find opening hours when on restaurant sites, show retail coupons for websites, or show weather information in the address bar. At the Worldwide Partners Conference 2015 Microsoft demonstrated Cortana integration with products such as GigJam.<ref name="PC-Magazine-Project-GigJam">{{cite news|last= Rama|first= Gladys|title= Microsoft Debuts 'Project GigJam' at WPC 2015.|url= https://rcpmag.com/articles/2015/07/13/wpc15-microsoft-debuts-gigjam.aspx|newspaper= PC Magazine|date= July 13, 2015}}</ref> Conversely, Microsoft announced in late April 2016 that it would block anything other than Bing and Edge from being used to complete Cortana searches, again raising questions of [[Social:Anti-competitive practices|anti-competitive practices]] by the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3063119/windows/microsoft-locks-down-cortana-blocks-integration-with-other-browsers-search-engines.html|title=Microsoft locks down Cortana: Blocks integration with other browsers, search engines}}</ref>

Microsoft's "Windows in the car" concept included Cortana. The concept makes it possible for drivers to make restaurant reservations and see places before they go there.<ref name=TheVerge>{{cite news|last= Warren|first= Tom|title= Microsoft experimenting with Cortana in your car |url= https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/16/9336205/microsoft-windows-in-the-car-cortana-concept|newspaper= The Verge|date= September 16, 2015 | quote = It's clear that Microsoft's car efforts have progressed over the past year, but the company still isn't ready to launch its own Windows 10 integration.}}</ref>

At Microsoft Build 2016, Microsoft announced plans to integrate Cortana into [[Software:Skype|Skype]] (Microsoft's video-conferencing and instant messaging service) as a bot to allow users to order food, book trips, transcribe video messages and make calendar appointments through Cortana in addition to other bots.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/microsoft-previews-a-smarter-skype-with-bots-cortana-integration.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20160702223127/http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/microsoft-previews-a-smarter-skype-with-bots-cortana-integration.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= July 2, 2016|title= Microsoft Previews a Smarter Skype With Bots, Cortana Integration.|work= eWeek|date= March 31, 2016|first= Pedro|last= Hernandez}}</ref> {{As of | 2016}}, Cortana was able to underline certain words and phrases in Skype conversations that relate to contacts and corporations.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://finance.yahoo.com/news/skype-now-smarts-book-trip-191958958.html|title= Skype now has the smarts to book your trip, order pizza, and more with Cortana.|work= [[Company:Yahoo!|Yahoo!]] Finance|date= March 30, 2016|first= Christian|last= de Looper}}</ref> A writer from [[Software:Engadget|Engadget]] has criticised the Cortana integration in Skype for responding only to very specific keywords, feeling as if she was "chatting with a search engine" due to the impersonal way the bots replied to certain words such as "Hello" causing the Bing Music bot to bring up Adele's song of that name.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.engadget.com/2016/03/30/skype-chat-bot-hands-on/|title= Chatting with Skype bots feels like talking to a search engine.|work= [[Software:Engadget|Engadget]] (AOL)|date= March 30, 2016|first= Nicole|last= Lee}}</ref>

Microsoft also announced at Microsoft Build 2016 that Cortana would be able to cloud-synchronise notifications between Windows 10 Mobile's and Windows 10's [[Software:Action Center|Action Center]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://mspoweruser.com/cortana-now-2-years-old/|title= Cortana is now 2 years old.|work= MSPowerUser|date= April 2, 2016|first= Suril|last= Surur}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.slashgear.com/cloud-based-windows-10-action-center-will-also-be-on-android-01434250/|title=Cloud-based Windows 10 Action Center will also be on Android.|work=SlashGear|date=April 1, 2016|first= JC|last= Torres}}</ref> as well as notifications from Android devices.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://phandroid.com/2016/04/01/microsoft-windows-10-anniversary-update-notification-mirroring-sync-actionable/|title= Windows 10 Anniversary Update not only mirrors Android notifications, but lets you interact with them too [VIDEO].|work= Phandroid|date= April 1, 2016|first= Chris|last= Chavez}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url= https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/04/the-windows-10-anniversary-update-can-mirror-android-notifications/
|title= The Windows 10 Anniversary Update can mirror Android notifications. Get Android notifications on your desktop. The catch: You have to install Cortana
|work= [[Ars Technica]]|date= April 2, 2016|first= Ron|last= Amadeo
}}</ref>

In December 2016, Microsoft announced<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.office.com/en-us/2016/12/13/enroll-in-the-calendar-help-preview-and-let-cortana-schedule-your-meetings/|title=Enroll in the Calendar.help preview and let Cortana schedule your meetings - Office Blogs|date=December 13, 2016|work=Office Blogs|access-date=April 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> the preview of Calendar.help, a service that enabled people to delegate the scheduling of meetings to Cortana. Users interact with Cortana by including her in email conversations. Cortana would then check people's availability in Outlook Calendar or Google Calendar, and work with others Cc'd on the email to schedule the meeting. The service relied on automation and human-based computation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hbr.org/2017/07/how-we-built-a-virtual-scheduling-assistant-at-microsoft|title=How We Built a Virtual Scheduling Assistant at Microsoft|date=July 28, 2017|work=Harvard Business Review|access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Cranshaw|first1=Justin|last2=Elwany|first2=Emad|last3=Newman|first3=Todd|last4=Kocielnik|first4=Rafal|last5=Yu|first5=Bowen|last6=Soni|first6=Sandeep|last7=Teevan|first7=Jaime|last8=Monroy-Hernández|first8=Andrés|title=Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems |chapter=Calendar.help: Designing a Workflow-Based Scheduling Agent with Humans in the Loop |date=May 2, 2017|publisher=ACM|pages=2382–2393|doi=10.1145/3025453.3025780|isbn=9781450346559|s2cid=10131409}}</ref>

In May 2017, Microsoft announced [[Engineering:Invoke (smart speaker)|INVOKE]], a voice-activated speaker featuring Cortana, in collaboration with [[Company:Harman Kardon|Harman Kardon]]. The premium speaker has a cylindrical design and offers 360-degree sound, the ability to make and receive calls with Skype, and all of the other features currently available with Cortana.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brad |last=Sams |title=Harman Kardon's Cortana Speaker Revealed |url=https://www.thurrott.com/hardware/115375/harman-kardons-cortana-speaker-revealed |website=Thurrott |publisher=BWW Media Group |date=May 7, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, Microsoft partnered with Amazon to integrate Echo and Cortana with each other, allowing users of each smart assistant to summon the other via a command.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=August 30, 2017|title=Microsoft and Amazon partner to integrate Alexa and Cortana digital assistants|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/30/16224876/microsoft-amazon-cortana-alexa-partnership|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> This feature preview was released in August 2018. Windows 10 users were able to just say "Hey Cortana, open Alexa" and Echo users were able to say "Alexa, open Cortana" to summon the other assistant.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=August 15, 2018|title=Microsoft and Amazon release preview of Cortana and Alexa integration|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/15/17691920/microsoft-amazon-alexa-cortana-integration-preview-features|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Harman Kardon Invoke Speaker - aerial.jpg|thumb|right|The Harman Kardon Invoke speaker, powered by Cortana]]

=== Decreasing focus and discontinuation (2019-2023) ===
In January 2019, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that he no longer sees Cortana as a direct competitor against Alexa and Siri.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=January 18, 2019|title=Microsoft no longer sees Cortana as an Alexa or Google Assistant competitor|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/18/18187992/microsoft-cortana-satya-nadella-alexa-google-assistant-competitor|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>

Shortly thereafter, Microsoft began reducing the prevalence of Cortana and converting it from an assistant into different software integrations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-remove-cortana-microsoft-launcher-android|title=Microsoft to remove Cortana from Microsoft Launcher on Android|last=Bowden|first=Zac|date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> It was split from the [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] search bar in April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2019/01/17/windows-10s-search-bar-and-cortana-split-up-on-good-terms/|title=Windows 10's search bar and Cortana split up on good terms|last=Lopez|first=Napier|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref>

In January 2020, the Cortana mobile app was removed from certain markets,<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":2"/> and then, on July 24, 2020, Cortana was removed from the Xbox dashboard as part of a redesign.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=July 24, 2019|title=Microsoft will drop Cortana from Xbox One as part of another dashboard redesign|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/24/20726367/microsoft-xbox-one-dashboard-home-design-update-cortana-removal|access-date=November 23, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> On January 31, 2021, Microsoft removed the Cortana mobile application in many markets, including the UK, Australia, Germany, Mexico, China, Spain, Canada, and India.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

On March 31, 2021, Microsoft shut down the Cortana apps globally for iOS and Android and removed the apps entirely from their corresponding app stores. To access previously recorded content, users had to use Cortana on Windows 10 or other specialized Microsoft applications.<ref name=":0" />

Microsoft also reduced emphasis on Cortana in Windows with the 2021 release of Windows 11. Cortana was not used during the device setup process or pinned to the taskbar by default.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chin|first=Monica|date=June 24, 2021|title=Microsoft kicks Cortana out of the boot experience for Windows 11|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22548899/microsoft-windows-11-cortana-experience-taskbar|url-status=live|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=[[The Verge]]|language=en|quote=Cortana will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624163308/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22548899/microsoft-windows-11-cortana-experience-taskbar |archive-date=June 24, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2, 2021|title=Windows 11 Specifications|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications|url-status=live|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=Windows|language=en-us|quote=Cortana will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624155416/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications |archive-date=June 24, 2021 }}</ref>

On June 2, 2023, Microsoft announced that they would shut down the Cortana standalone app on [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] and [[Software:Windows 11|Windows 11]] later in the year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paoli |first1=Chris |title=Microsoft To Kill Cortana in Windows -- Redmondmag.com |url=https://redmondmag.com/articles/2023/06/05/microsoft-to-kill-cortana-in-windows.aspx |access-date=16 July 2023 |work=Redmondmag}}</ref> In its support article, Microsoft listed several alternatives, most of which have since been rebranded as [[Software:Microsoft Copilot|Microsoft Copilot]]. They also added that the change would not impact Cortana in [[Software:Microsoft 365|Office 365]] and [[Software:Microsoft Teams|Teams]] environments.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Zac Bowden |date=2023-06-02 |title=Microsoft is killing Cortana on Windows 11 and Windows 10 later this year |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-is-killing-cortana-on-windows-11-and-windows-10-later-this-year |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref><ref name="support.microsoft.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2023-08-04 |title=Cortana, once a flagship feature of Windows phones, is slowly being shut down |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/microsoft-shuts-down-windows-cortana-voice-assistant-as-it-chases-ai-ambitions/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>

On August 11, 2023, Microsoft updated the Cortana app in Windows, announcing it was deprecated and can no longer be used. Microsoft's support article announcing the deprecation of Cortana was updated to reflect this change. Along with the deprecation of the standalone app, it was announced that Cortana support in Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams displays, and Teams rooms would end in late 2023. The support article states that Cortana in the “Play my emails” feature of the [[Software:Microsoft Outlook|Microsoft Outlook]] mobile app would continue to be available.<ref name="support.microsoft.com"/>

== Functionality ==
Cortana was able to set reminders, recognize natural voice without the requirement for keyboard input, and answer questions using information from the [[Software:Bing (search engine)|Bing]] [[Search engine|search engine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/apps/my-interests-and-cortana |title=My interests and Cortana |publisher=Windows Phone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707015844/http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/apps/my-interests-and-cortana |archive-date=July 7, 2014 |author=Microsoft |access-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/apps/remind-me-cortana |title=Remind me, Cortana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707011106/http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/apps/remind-me-cortana |archive-date=July 7, 2014 |author=Microsoft |access-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5570866/cortana-windows-phone-8-1-digital-assistant|title=The story of Cortana, Microsoft's Siri killer|publisher=The Verge|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref> Searches using Windows 10 are made only with the Microsoft [[Software:Bing (search engine)|Bing]] search engine, and all links will open with [[Software:Microsoft Edge|Microsoft Edge]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/04/28/microsoft-limits-the-cortana-search-box-in-windows-10-to-bing-and-edge-only/|title=Microsoft limits the Cortana search box in Windows 10 to Bing and Edge only|date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> except when a screen reader such as Narrator was being used, where the links will open in [[Software:Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer]]. Windows Phone 8.1's universal Bing SmartSearch features were incorporated into Cortana, which replaced the previous Bing Search app, which was activated when a user presses the "Search" button on their device.<ref>{{cite web|last=Edmonds|first=Rich|url=http://www.wpcentral.com/developers-leak-new-features-windows-phone-81-sdk|title=Developers leak Windows Phone 8.1 SDK, reveal new features|publisher=Windows Phone Central|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref> Cortana includes [[Software:Bing Audio|a music recognition]] service.<ref name=GroovyPost>{{cite news|last=Burgess|first=Brian|title=Use Cortana on Windows Phone 8.1 to Identify Songs|url=http://www.groovypost.com/news/windows-phone-8-1-cortana-identifies-songs/|newspaper=GroovyPost|date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> Cortana was able to simulate rolling dice and flipping a coin.<ref name=Softpedia>{{cite news|last=Popa|first=Bogdan|title=New Cortana Features on Windows Phone: Flip a Coin and Roll Some Dice|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/New-Cortana-Features-on-Windows-Phone-Flip-a-Coin-and-Roll-Some-Dice-461131.shtml|newspaper=[[Softpedia]]|date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> Cortana's "Concert Watch" monitored Bing searches to determine the bands or musicians that interest the user.<ref name=LOADTHEGAME>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Emily|title=Cortana will be more like Google Now|url=http://www.loadthegame.com/2014/10/17/cortana-will-like-google-now/|newspaper=LOAD THE GAME|date=October 17, 2014}}</ref> It integrates with the [[Engineering:Microsoft Band|Microsoft Band]] watch band for Windows Phone devices if connected via Bluetooth,<ref name="Liveside.net">{{cite news|last=Kniskern|first=Kip|title=Microsoft Band: cross platform, yet Better Together with Windows Phone (and Cortana)|url=http://www.liveside.net/2014/10/29/microsoft-band-cross-platform-yet-better-together-with-windows-phone-and-cortana/|newspaper=Liveside.net|date=October 29, 2014}}</ref><ref name=WinBeta>{{cite news|last=none|first=Ron|title=Say hello to Microsoft Band, a $199 fitness band that keeps you fit and lets you check emails and texts too
|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/say-hello-microsoft-band-199-fitness-band-keeps-you-fit-and-lets-you-check-emails-and-texts-too|newspaper=WinBeta|date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> it was able to make reminders and phone notifications.<ref name=MobileApps>{{cite news|last=Burlacu|first=Alexandra|title=Microsoft Band fitness tracker with Cortana debuts alongside Microsoft Health service: Here's the deal (VIDEO)|url=http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles/10689/20141030/microsoft-band-fitness-tracker-with-cortana-debuts-alongside-microsoft-health-service-heres-the-deal-video.htm|newspaper=Mobile & Apps|date=October 30, 2014}}</ref>

Since the [[Engineering:Microsoft Lumia#Lumia updates|Lumia Denim]] mobile phone series, launched in October 2014, active listening was added to Cortana enabling it to be invoked with the phrase: "Hey Cortana". It was able to then be controlled as usual.<ref name=WindowsCentral>{{cite news|last=Rubino|first=Daniel|title=Hands on with 'Hey Cortana' and the Lumia 930 Denim update|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/hands-on-hey-cortana-video|newspaper=Windows Central|date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> Some devices from the United Kingdom by O2 received the Lumia Denim update without the feature, but this was later clarified as a bug and Microsoft has since fixed it.<ref name=fonearena>{{cite news|author=Nirave |title=O2 Lumia 930 Denim update lands without "Hey Cortana" [Updated]|url=http://www.fonearena.com/blog/130339/o2-lumia-930-denim-update-lands-without-hey-cortana.html|newspaper=Fonearena|date=February 3, 2015}}</ref>

Cortana integrated with services such as [[Software:Foursquare City Guide|Foursquare]] to provide restaurant and local attraction recommendations and [[Company:LIFX|LIFX]] to control smart light bulbs.<ref name=PCWorld>{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Jared|title=Windows Phone's Cortana taps Foursquare to suggest nearby places of interest|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2458949/windows-phones-cortana-taps-foursquare-to-suggest-nearby-places-of-interest.html|newspaper=PCWorld|date=July 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/the-new-lifx-windows-10-app-lets-cortana-toggle-your-lights/|title=The new Lifx Windows 10 app lets Cortana toggle your lights|date=October 15, 2015|last=Crist|first=Ry|publisher=CNET}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/29/cortana-now-taps-into-foursquare-to-give-you-recommendations-for/#prclt-dRLWS1hv|title=Cortana now taps into Foursquare to give you recommendations for lunch|website=engadget.com|date=July 29, 2014 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref>

=== Notebook ===
Cortana stored personal information such as interests, location data, reminders, and contacts in the "Notebook". It was able to draw upon and add to this data to learn a user's specific patterns and behaviors. Users were able to view and specify what information was collected to allow some control over privacy, said to be "a level of control that goes beyond comparable assistants".<ref name=hachman>{{cite news|last=Hachman|first=Mark|title=Microsoft's Cortana digital assistant guards user privacy with 'Notebook'|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2099943/microsofts-cortana-digital-assistant-guards-user-privacy-with-notebook.html|newspaper=PCWorld|date=February 21, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> Users were able to delete information from the "Notebook".<ref name=verge>{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/3/5465264/microsoft-cortana-windows-phone-screenshots|title=This is Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Siri|publisher=The Verge|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>

=== Reminders ===
Cortana had a built-in system of reminders, which were able to, for example, be associated with a specific contact; Cortana would then remind a user when in communication with that contact, possibly at a specific time or when the phone was in a specific location.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/how-to-person-based-reminder-cortana|title=How to set a person-based reminder with Cortana.|work=Windows Central (Mobile Nations)|date=April 26, 2014|first=Mark|last=Guim}}</ref> Originally, these reminders were specific to the device Cortana was installed on but starting on February 12, 2015, Cortana synchronized reminders across devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-10-cortana-now-syncs-reminders|title=Windows 10: Cortana now syncs reminders.|work=Neowin|date=February 13, 2015|first=Brad|last=Sams}}</ref>

=== Design ===
Most versions of Cortana took the form of two nested circles,<ref>{{cite web|last=Kleiman|first=Jacob|title=Windows Phone Cortana Mobile Assistant Detailed in New Leak|publisher=TechnoBuffalo|url=http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/03/03/microsoft-cortana-windows-phone-assistant-leak|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610072513/http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/03/03/microsoft-cortana-windows-phone-assistant-leak/|archive-date=June 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> which were animated to indicate activities such as searching or talking. The main color scheme would include a black or white background and shades of blue for the respective circles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana/voicecommands/voicecommand-design-guidelines|title=Cortana design guidelines - Cortana UWP design and development|last=kbridge|website=docs.microsoft.com|language=en-us|access-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907085602/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana/voicecommands/voicecommand-design-guidelines|archive-date=September 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Phone notification syncing ===
Cortana on Windows mobile and Android were capable of capturing device [[Taskbar|notifications]] and sending them to a Windows 10 device. This allowed a computer user to view notifications from their phone in the Windows 10 [[Software:Action Center|Action Center]]. The feature was announced in early 2016 and released later in the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/67251/cortana-can-now-sync-notifications-android-phone-windows-10-pc|title=Cortana Can Now Sync Notifications From Your Android Phone To Your Windows 10 PC - Thurrott.com|date=May 19, 2016|work=Thurrott.com|access-date=May 10, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Miscellaneous ===
<!-- Quiet hours redirects here -->Cortana had a "do-not-disturb" mode in which users were able to specify "quiet hours", as was available for Windows Phone 8.1 users.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sabri|first=Sam|title=How to set up Quiet Hours and Inner Circles on Windows Phone 8.1|publisher=Windows Phone Central|url=http://www.wpcentral.com/how-set-quiet-hours-and-inner-circles-windows-phone-81|date=April 15, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref> Users were able to change the settings so that Cortana calls users by their names or nicknames.<ref name="verge" /> It also had a library of [[Easter egg (media)|"Easter Eggs"]], pre-determined remarks.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|title=Clippy replaces Cortana in Windows Phone 8.1 Easter egg|publisher=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/15/5617234/clippy-replaces-cortana-in-windows-phone-easter-egg|date=April 15, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kessler|first=Derek|title=Cortana Easter Egg resurrects Clippy as your personal digital assistant|publisher=Windows Phone Central|url=http://www.wpcentral.com/cortana-easter-egg-resurrects-clippy-your-personal-digital-assistant|date=April 15, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014}}</ref>

When asked for a prediction, Cortana correctly predicted the winners of the first 14 matches of the football 2014 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, including the semi-finals, before it incorrectly picked Brazil over the Netherlands in the third place play-off match; this streak topped Paul the Octopus who correctly predicted all 7 of Germany's 2010 FIFA World Cup matches as well as the Final.<ref name="Cortana 2014 World Cup1">{{cite web |url=http://wmpoweruser.com/cortanas-unbroken-streak-ends-with-netherlands-30-win-over-brazil/ |title=Cortana's unbroken streak ends with Netherlands 3:0 win over Brazil |publisher=WMPoweruser.com |date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125232627/http://wmpoweruser.com/cortanas-unbroken-streak-ends-with-netherlands-30-win-over-brazil/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Cortana 2014 World Cup2">{{cite news |url=http://www.cmswire.com/cms/big-data/why-microsofts-cortana-is-14-for-14-calling-world-cup-matches-025853.php |title=Why Microsoft's Cortana is 14 for 14 Calling World Cup Matches |last=Backaitis |first=Virginia |publisher=CMSWire.com |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Cortana 2014 World Cup3">{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fifa-world-cup-2014-germany-will-beat-argentina-win-final-predicts-cortana-1456067 |title=Germany Will Beat Argentina to Win FIFA World Cup 2014 Final Predicts Cortana |author=Akash KJ |newspaper=International Business Times |date=July 10, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710105823/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fifa-world-cup-2014-germany-will-beat-argentina-win-final-predicts-cortana-1456067 |archive-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Cortana 2014 World Cup4">{{cite news |url=http://www.kontentport.com/cortana-argentina-netherlands-1599.html |title=Cortana maintains winning streak, correctly predicting 14 games in a row |last=Wint |first=Bradley |publisher=KontentPort.com |date=July 9, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713041343/http://www.kontentport.com/cortana-argentina-netherlands-1599.html |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cortana was able to forecast results in various other sports such as the NBA, the NFL,<ref>{{cite web|last=Manfred|first=Tony|title=The Microsoft Engine That Nailed The World Cup Is Predicting Every NFL Game – Here's Its Pick for the Super Bowl|publisher=Business Insider|url=http://uk.businessinsider.com/microsoft-cortana-super-bowl-pick-2015-1?r=US|date=January 28, 2015}}</ref> the Super Bowl,<ref>{{cite web|last=Curdie|first=Lewis|title=Super Bowl winner correctly predicted by Windows Phone Cortana|publisher=Mobot|url=http://www.mobot.net/super-bowl-winner-correctly-predicted-windows-phone-cortana-75669|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203141229/http://www.mobot.net/super-bowl-winner-correctly-predicted-windows-phone-cortana-75669|archive-date=February 3, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> the ICC Cricket World Cup<ref name=WMPowerUser>{{cite news|last=Allison|first=Michael|title=Bing now predicts ICC Cricket World cup|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/bing-now-predicts-icc-cricket-world-cup/|newspaper=WMPowerUser|date=February 8, 2015|access-date=February 9, 2015|archive-date=July 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710122615/http://wmpoweruser.com/bing-now-predicts-icc-cricket-world-cup/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and various European football leagues. Cortana was able to solve mathematical equations, convert units of measurement, and determine the exchange rates between currencies including [[Software:Bitcoin|Bitcoin]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sieber|first=Tina|title=Here's how to make the most of Cortana, the Windows 10 digital assistant|publisher=Digital Trends|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/get-know-cortana-windows-10/|date=January 28, 2015|access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref>

== Integrations ==
Microsoft integrated Cortana into numerous products such as [[Software:Microsoft Edge|Microsoft Edge]].<ref name="PC-World-Microsoft-Cortana-Microsoft-Edge"/> Microsoft's Cortana assistant was deeply integrated into the browser. Cortana was able to find opening hours when on restaurant sites, show retail coupons for websites, or show weather information in the address bar. At the Worldwide Partners Conference 2015 Microsoft demonstrated Cortana integration with products such as GigJam.<ref name="PC-Magazine-Project-GigJam"/> Conversely, Microsoft announced in late April 2016 that it would block anything other than Bing and Edge from being used to complete Cortana searches, again raising questions of [[Social:Anti-competitive practices|anti-competitive practices]] by the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3063119/windows/microsoft-locks-down-cortana-blocks-integration-with-other-browsers-search-engines.html|title=Microsoft locks down Cortana: Blocks integration with other browsers, search engines}}</ref>

Microsoft's "Windows in the car" concept included Cortana. The concept makes it possible for drivers to make restaurant reservations and see places before they go there.<ref name=TheVerge/>

Cortana was able to integrate with third-party apps on Windows 10 or directly through the service. Starting in late 2016, Cortana integrated with Microsoft's [[Software:Wunderlist|Wunderlist]] service, allowing Cortana to add and act on reminders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wunderlist.com/blog/hey-cortana/|title=Hey Cortana...|date=November 17, 2016|website=Wunderlist Blog|access-date=May 10, 2017|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116104649/https://www.wunderlist.com/blog/hey-cortana/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At Microsoft's Build 2017 conference, Microsoft announced that Cortana would get a consumer third-party skills capability, similar to that in Amazon Alexa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/10/stub-microsoft-takes-aim-at-alexa-with-cortana-skills-kit/|title=Microsoft takes aim at Alexa with Cortana Skills Kit|website=Engadget|date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>

On February 16, 2018, Microsoft announced connected home skills were added for [[Company:Ecobee|Ecobee]], Honeywell Lyric, Honeywell Total Connect Comfort, [[Company:LIFX|LIFX]], [[Company:TP-Link|TP-Link]] Kasa, and Geeni, as well as support for [[Company:IFTTT|IFTTT]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Windows Blog|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/02/16/hey-cortana-turn-heat-cortana-now-works-smart-home-providers-ifttt/|website=Windows Blog|date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> At Microsoft's Ignite 2018 conference, Microsoft announced an [[Physics:Early adopter|Technology Adopters Program]] that Enterprises could build skills that could be developed and deployed into Azure tenants, accessible by organizational units or security groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-tries-again-to-win-developers-with-new-cortana-enterprise-skills-kit/|title=Microsoft tries again to win developers with new Cortana Enterprise SKills Kit|website=ZDNet|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref>

== Privacy concerns ==
Cortana indexed and stored user information. Cortana could have been disabled; this caused Windows search to search Bing as well as the local computer, but that also could have been disabled. Turning Cortana off did not in itself delete user data stored on Microsoft's servers, but data were able to be deleted by user action.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2949759/windows/killing-cortana-how-to-disable-windows-10s-info-hungry-digital-assistant.html |title=How to disable Cortana in Windows 10 |website=Pcworld.com |date=July 30, 2015 |author=Brad Chacos |access-date= April 4, 2016}}</ref> Microsoft was further criticized for requests to Bing's website for a file called "threshold.appcache", which contained Cortana's information through searches made through the Start Menu, even when Cortana was disabled on Windows 10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2015/08/even-when-told-not-to-windows-10-just-cant-stop-talking-to-microsoft/|title=Even when told not to, Windows 10 just can't stop talking to Microsoft. It's no wonder that privacy activists are up in arms.|work=[[Ars Technica]] UK|date=August 13, 2015|first=Peter|last=Bright}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bgr.com/2015/08/13/windows-10-cortana-search-privacy-settings/|title=Windows 10 might be spying on you even after you tell it to stop.|work=Boy Genius Report|date=August 13, 2015|first=Chris|last=Smith}}</ref>

{{As of|2014|4}}, Cortana was disabled for users aged under 13 years.<ref name="TheRegistrerNaughtyCortana">{{cite news|title=Microsoft's naughty Cortana NOT ALLOWED NEAR CHILDREN|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/04/25/windows_phone_cortana_not_allowed_near_children_but_its_not_alone/|newspaper=The Register|first=Shaun|last=Nichols|date=April 25, 2014}}</ref>

== Regions and languages ==
[[File:WP Cortana China.png|thumb|130px|right|The Chinese version of Cortana, Xiao Na]]
The British version of Cortana spoke with a British accent and used British idioms, while the Chinese version, known as Xiao Na, spoke [[Social:Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin Chinese]] and had an icon featuring a face and two eyes, which was not used in other regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2014/07/30/windows-phone-8-1-update-brings-cortana-to-new-markets-new-features.aspx|title=Windows Phone 8.1 Update brings Cortana to new markets + new features|work=Blogging Windows|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730123306/http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2014/07/30/windows-phone-8-1-update-brings-cortana-to-new-markets-new-features.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{As of|2020}} the English version of Cortana on Windows devices was available to all users in the United States (American English), Canada (French/English), Australia, India, and the United Kingdom (British English). Other language versions of Cortana are available in France (French), China (Simplified Chinese), Japan (Japanese), Germany (German), Italy (Italian), Brazil (Portuguese), Mexico, and Spain (Spanish). Cortana listens generally to the hot word "Hey Cortana" in addition to certain languages' customized versions, such as "Hola Cortana" in Spanish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/es-es/help/17214/windows-10-what-is|title=¿Qué es Cortana?- Microsoft Support|website=support.microsoft.com|access-date=May 4, 2017}}</ref>

The English United Kingdom localized version of Cortana was voiced by voice actress Ginnie Watson,<ref>{{cite news|last=Doe|first=John|title=Which sex does a computer sound like?|url=http://www.soundsurvey.org.uk/index.php/survey/post/which_sex_does_a_computer_sound_like/|newspaper=London Sound Survey|date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> while the United States localised version was voiced by Jen Taylor. Taylor was the voice actress who voices Cortana, the namesake of the virtual assistant, in the Halo video game series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.neowin.net/news/halo-actress-jen-taylor-to-voice-windows-phone039s-cortana|title=Halo actress Jen Taylor to voice Windows Phone's Cortana|last=Tosie|first=Anthony|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref>

The following table identifies the former localized version of Cortana. Except where indicated, this applied to both Windows Mobile and Windows 10 versions of the assistant. 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Language<ref name=Microsoft>{{Cite web |title=Cortana's regions and languages |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/cortanas-regions-and-languages |access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref>
!Region<ref name="Microsoft" />
!Variant
!Status<ref name="Microsoft" />
!Platforms

|-
|rowspan=5|[[Social:English language|English]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States
|American English
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]
|-
|{{flagicon|GBR}} United Kingdom<ref name=Venturebeat>{{cite news|last=Novet|first=Jordan|title=Cortana will land in China and the United Kingdom in the coming weeks|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/06/15/cortana-will-land-in-china-and-the-united-kingdom-in-the-coming-weeks/|newspaper=Venturebeat News|date=June 25, 2014}}</ref>
|British English
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=December 8, 2016|title=Cortana arrives in the UK on Android and iOS with an overhauled design|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/8/13882540/microsoft-cortana-uk-android-ios-features|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|CAN}} Canada<ref name="Duckett">{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/hobbled-cortana-arrives-in-canada-australia-japan-and-india/#!|title=Hobbled Cortana arrives in Canada, Australia, Japan, and India. As part of the latest update to Windows 10, Microsoft's digital assistant has arrived in a number of new geographies.|work=[[ZDNet]]|date=November 13, 2015|first=Chris|last=Duckett}}</ref>
|Canadian English
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsofts-cortana-app-adds-support-for-canada-on-ios-and-android/|title=Microsoft's Cortana app adds support for Canada on iOS and Android|date=December 18, 2017|work=Onmsft}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Social:Australian English|Australia]]
|[[Social:Australian English|Australian English]]
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]
|-
|{{flagicon|IND}} India
|Indian English
|Available<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/windows-10-the-first-major-update-brings-cortana-to-india/|title=Windows 10 update: Cortana now understands Indian accent|date=November 13, 2015|work=The Indian Express}}</ref>
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Social:French language|French]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} {{wipe|France}}
|French French
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]
|-
|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{wipe|Canada}}
|Canadian French
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]
|-
|[[Social:German language|German]]
|{{flagicon|GER}} {{wipe|Germany}}<ref name=CNet>{{cite news|last=Whitney|first=Lance|title=Microsoft Cortana expands to French, Italian, German and Spanish|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-cortana-expands-to-french-italian-german-and-spanish/|newspaper=CNet|date=December 5, 2014}}</ref>
|[[Social:Standard German|Standard German]]
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]]
|-
|[[Social:Italian language|Italian]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} Italy
|Standard Italian
|Available<ref name=WindowsMobilePowerUser>{{cite news|author=Surur|title=Cortana's Italian improves|url=http://wmpoweruser.com/cortanas-italian-improves/|newspaper=WMPowerUser|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=February 2, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701124732/http://wmpoweruser.com/cortanas-italian-improves/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Social:Spanish language|Spanish]]
|{{flagicon|ESP}} Spain<ref name=eWeek>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Pedro|title=Cortana Goes Globetrotting in European Alpha|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-cortana-expands-to-french-italian-german-and-spanish/|newspaper=eWeek|date=December 5, 2014}}</ref>
|Peninsular Spanish
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Mexico}} Mexico
|Mexican Spanish
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]]
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Social:Chinese language|Traditional Chinese]]
|{{flagicon|ROC}} Taiwan
|Taiwanese Mandarin
|Not Available
|
|-
|{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Place:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]
|[[Social:Cantonese|Cantonese]]
|Not Available
|
|-
|{{flagicon|MAC}} [[Place:Macau|Macau]]
|[[Social:Cantonese|Cantonese]]
|Not Available
|
|-
|[[Social:Chinese language|Simplified Chinese]]
|{{flagicon|PRC}} China
|[[Social:Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin Chinese]]
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]
|-
|[[Social:Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} Brazil
|Brazilian Portuguese
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]]
|-
|[[Social:Japanese language|Japanese]]
|{{flagicon|Japan}} {{wipe|Japan}}
|Standard Japanese
|Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]]
|-
|[[Social:Russian language|Russian]]
|{{flagicon|Russia}} {{wipe|Russia}}
|Standard Russian
| Not Available
|[[Software:Windows|Windows]],<ref name="Duckett" /> [[Software:IOS|iOS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/cortana-app-ios-now-available-japan|title=Cortana App for iOS now available in Japan.|work=WinBeta|date=March 4, 2016|first=Dave|last=Shanahan}}</ref>
|}

== Technology ==
The [[Natural language processing|natural language processing]] capabilities of Cortana were derived from Tellme Networks (bought by Microsoft in 2007) and were coupled with a [[Semantic search]] database called Satori.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/cortana-everything-you-need-to-know-about-microsoft-s-siri-rival-1183607|title=Cortana: everything you need to know about Microsoft's Siri rival|author=Gary Marshall|work=TechRadar|date=April 3, 2014}}</ref>

While many of Cortana's U.S. English responses were voiced by Jen Taylor, organic responses required the use of a text-to-speech engine. Microsoft Eva was the name of the text-to-speech voice for organic response in Cortana's U.S. English.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Create Cortana Audio Files From Text Using PowerShell|url=https://thinkpowershell.com/create-cortana-audio-files-from-text-using-powershell/|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=thinkpowershell.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=text to speech - How to enable Microsoft Eva (Cortana's voice) on Windows 10?|url=https://superuser.com/questions/1141840/how-to-enable-microsoft-eva-cortanas-voice-on-windows-10|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=Super User}}</ref>

== Updates ==
Cortana updates were delivered independently of those to the main Windows Phone OS,<ref name=Ubergizmo>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Tyler|title=Cortana Will Enable Itself Automatically, No Action Required|url=http://www.ubergizmo.com/2014/07/cortana-will-enable-itself-automatically-no-action-required/|newspaper=Ubergizmo|date=July 21, 2014}}</ref> allowing Microsoft to provide new features at a faster pace.<ref name=EyeOnWindows>{{cite news|last=Ali|first=Fahad|title=CORTANA CAN NOW ROLL SOME DICE, FLIP A COIN|url=http://www.eyeonwindows.com/2014/10/06/cortana-can-now-roll-some-dice-flip-a-coin/|newspaper=Eye on Windows|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=October 31, 2014|archive-date=January 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104080523/http://www.eyeonwindows.com/2014/10/06/cortana-can-now-roll-some-dice-flip-a-coin/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Not all Cortana-related features could be updated in this manner, as some features such as "Hey Cortana" required the Windows Phone update service and the [[Engineering:Qualcomm Snapdragon|Qualcomm Snapdragon]] SensorCore Technology.<ref name=Gigaom>{{cite news|last=Tofel|first=Kevin C.|title=Lumia Denim update arrives, bringing Cortana and better pictures|url=https://gigaom.com/2014/12/18/lumia-denim-update-arrives-bringing-cortana-and-better-pictures/|newspaper=Gigaom|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=February 4, 2015|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124404/https://gigaom.com/2014/12/18/lumia-denim-update-arrives-bringing-cortana-and-better-pictures/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Software:List of speech recognition software|List of speech recognition software]]
* [[Software:BonziBuddy|BonziBuddy]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/technology/personaltech/windows10-review.html |title=Microsoft's virtual assistant, Cortana |work={{wipe|The New York Times}} |date=July 30, 2015}}
* {{Cite news | author-last1 = Dale |author-first1 = Jason |date=June 26, 2019 |url=https://www.hows.tech/2019/04/disable-cortana-in-windows-10.html |title=How to Quickly Disable Cortana in Windows 10 |work=Hows.tech}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026948/windows-10-cortanas-regions-and-languages Cortana Supported Languages]

{{Windows Phone}}
{{Windows Components}}
{{Intelligent personal assistant software}}

[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Natural language processing software]]
[[Category:Virtual assistants]]
[[Category:Windows components]]
[[Category:Windows Phone software]]

{{Sourceattribution|Cortana (virtual assistant)}}