Cortana

Microsoft's virtual assistant for Windows desktops and smartphones. Introduced in 2014 for Windows Phone 8.1, Cortana was added to Windows 10 in 2015. Side-by-side voice queries showed that Cortana provided similar answers to Siri and Google Now in most cases. Cortana includes a predictive notification function similar to Google Now, and it offers event-based notifications that let you request, for example, "When your brother calls, tell him congratulations." Because Skype is a Microsoft product, Cortana provides smooth activation of Skype video calls from voice commands. Cortana is also integrated into Microsoft Edge, the replacement for Internet Explorer (see Edge browser). See Windows Phone, Windows 10 and virtual assistant.

A Sassy Answer

A bit like Siri when asked provocative questions, PCMag.com lead software analyst Michael Muchmore asked Cortana "which was better... Siri or Cortana?" (Image courtesy of PCMag.com.)