Microsoft's Cortana might lend a hand on iOS and Android

sincity · June 13, 2014

Considering its very name is taken from the Microsoft-exclusive game series Halo, it's no surprise the virtual personal assistant Cortana currently lives only on Windows Phone.

But Microsoft is considering migrating her to iOS and Android as well, according to GeekWire.

"It's a bit of a head scratcher for us right now," Windows Phone Group Program Manager Marcus Ash reportedly said at the SMX Advanced Search Marketing expo on June 12.

If nothing else that indicates that Cortana's expansion to other platforms is an ongoing conversation at Microsoft.

Home sweet home

In addition to Ash's quotes, statements made by Applications and Services Group Program Manager Rob Chambers were also referenced by Search Engine Land.

According to the site Ash said they're "actively talking about" Cortana on iOS and Android, and the duo even reportedly went further than that, discussing Cortana on desktop PCs, Cortana in vehicles, and more.

There are hurdles in that iOS and Android users might not want Cortana, as they already have Siri and Google Now, respectively.

And Cortana might not have access on those platforms to many of the systems, including users' personal data, that she uses on Windows Phone.

But Microsoft already overcame whatever hurdles may have existed to bringing Bing and Office to its rivals' platforms, and it's good to know it's considering doing the same with Cortana.