14 DAY TRIAL // Although rumor has it that Microsoft plans to bring Cortana to Android and iOS platforms, its digital assistant is only available to Windows Phone users for the moment.
Even if these rumors coming from sources familiar with Microsoft future plans are true, it's still unclear exactly when Cortana will arrive on two of the most important mobile operating systems on the market.
Until then though, it looks like a group of hackers called OrangeSec have decided that there's no need to wait for Microsoft to launch Cortana on Android and iOS platforms and ported the digital assistant themselves.
A new report claims the group managed to bring Microsoft's Cortana to Android devices, but not on the iPhone yet. To highlight their original work on the port they have called the digital assistant “Portana.”
Since Microsoft hasn't yet manage to officially bring Cortana to Android and iOS handsets, it means that it's not that easy as it sounds. That's why the folks representing OrangeSec had to make some compromises in order to make Cortana work on Android smartphones.
Only the basic features of Cortana work on Android
In this regard, it looks like Portana only speaks Italian, most likely because this is the hackers' native language. Another limitation would be the fact that it doesn't work offline, so you will need a constant Internet connection in order to use it.
Furthermore, since Portana is not a strict port, the digital assistant is still communicating with Microsoft's servers. This means that Portana won't be able to interface and integrate with Android and offer the same complex features that Cortana brings on Windows Phone.
OrangeSec only intended to bring the most basic features of Cortana on Android and show everyone that it's possible to port Microsoft's digital assistant to other platforms.
Those who are still waiting for Cortana to arrive on Android and iOS smartphones will probably have to wait a while longer since Microsoft is now working to bring Windows 10 for Phones to the market later this summer.
