14 DAY TRIAL // We reported over the weekend that Microsoft might bring Cortana on other mobile platforms like Android and iOS. The information was somewhat confirmed by Microsoft’s Marcus Ash, group program manager for Cortana, but in order to clarify the conditions under which Cortana would eventually be launched on Android and iOS, he made a series of statements on his Twitter account.
First of all, Android and iOS versions of Cortana are just thoughts, so there’s no deadline and no decision to bring the personal assistant to these platforms has been made yet.
Secondly, Windows Phone users will always be offered the best Cortana experience. The other mobile platforms will likely have some features missing, but only if Microsoft decides to bring the service on Android and iOS.
According to Ash, the next platform that would receive Cortana is Windows, which makes sense, as the personal assistant is already being tested on Xbox One and desktops.
However, for the time being, Microsoft is focusing on getting Cortana out on Windows Phone in as many countries as possible. Cortana will be a major selling point for Windows Phone devices, which is why it would be a mistake to bring it to other mobile platforms so soon.
Microsoft acknowledged that and stated that its top priority was to offer Windows Phone customers a great Cortana experience and, as mentioned earlier, to make it available in as many countries as possible.
Here are some of the most important tweets of Marcus Ash, in which he details Microsoft’s vision for the future of Cortana:
"- Our top priority is to make Cortana great for Windows Phone customers. Get her out to more countries, continuing to push innovation.
- Real plan is about Cortana on Windows Phone. Make it so good that Windows Phone customers get everyone they know on Windows Phone.
- Showcase experience will always be on Windows Phone. No controversy or debate.
- After we execute on #1 – #3, we have started to THINK about Cortana on Windows so more Microsoft customers experience her.
- In a future state, the best experience will still be for Microsoft customers that own all Windows devices. Best work is on our devices.
- Only after we execute on #1 – #5 do we consider Cortana anywhere other than Windows devices which are only thoughts/questions, no plans.
- Being a challenger in mobile requires us to consider ideas to breakthrough, including leveraging the broadest set of #Windows customers
- Words are nice, only actions matter. Next 4 months of Cortana on Windows Phone will show that we are dead serious about #1 – #3.
- These are future questions/thoughts, the present reality is making Cortana Windows Phone amazing for our current and new customers."