Microsoft slide-shows a future design for Cortana

Mar 17, 2015 10:36 GMT  ·  By

Cortana will soon be introduced on the PC with the debut of Windows 10, but users can already give the digital assistant a try thanks to the Windows Insider program.

And yet, Cortana made its public debut in build 9926, which is actually the currently supported version of Windows 10 Technical Preview, so needless to say, the existing design and features are part of a very early release of the digital assistant.

Microsoft is still working to improve Windows 10 and its features, including Cortana, so the personal assistant is very likely to look completely different when the new operating system reaches the RTM development stage. How different?

Just like you can see for yourselves in this photo. Part of a Microsoft slide, this screenshot shows Cortana running on smartphones and laptops with a completely new design, layout, and features.

Fresh look and better organized features

In Windows 10, Cortana will come in brand new clothes, so the basic look that's currently available on desktops and smartphones will be replaced by a new more modern one.

The screenshot here shows directions presented in a new interface, as well as news and what seem to be all the other features placed in a side toolbar for easy access.

The same will happen on smartphones as well, but with one big exception that's very likely to annoy lots of Windows Phone fanboys out there: Cortana will come with a hamburger button that will provide access to all of its features.

While the hamburger button was heavily criticized by users worldwide because it comes from Android, using it in Cortana actually makes sense. Microsoft plans to bring Cortana on Android and iOS devices as well, so offering a similar experience across all handsets is clearly a priority for the company, which is living proof that the hamburger button is playing a much more important role in this plan.