Cortana takes on Google Now, Siri
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
Hey, everyone. Hey, everyone.
Jessical Dolcourt from Cnet here with an early look at Microsoft's Cortana Voice Assistant. Jessical Dolcourt from Cnet here with an early look at Microsoft's Cortana Voice Assistant.
In a minute, I'll show you how Cortana so far stacks up against Apple's Siri and Google Now. In a minute, I'll show you how Cortana so far stacks up against Apple's Siri and Google Now.
But first, a caveat or three. But first, a caveat or three.
I've got Cortana on a pre-released version of Windows Phone 8.1. I've got Cortana on a pre-released version of Windows Phone 8.1.
Not even the developers have this yet. Not even the developers have this yet.
Cortana is in Beta and gets her knowledge from a Hive Mind, that is the Cloud, which means that she isn't at her full capacity at this stage. Cortana is in Beta and gets her knowledge from a Hive Mind, that is the Cloud, which means that she isn't at her full capacity at this stage.
Get it? Get it?
Good. Good.
Now Cortana can do the same basic things that Siri, and Goggle Now a like. Now Cortana can do the same basic things that Siri, and Goggle Now a like.
Call and text, set alarms, get directions, and search the web for practical answers to your questions. Call and text, set alarms, get directions, and search the web for practical answers to your questions.
It'll take 41 hours and 20 minutes to drive to New York. It'll take 41 hours and 20 minutes to drive to New York.
Cortana can also tell you the weather, start a note and set reminders. Cortana can also tell you the weather, start a note and set reminders.
For example, wake me up in an hour. For example, wake me up in an hour.
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
[NOISE] Okay, I've set an alarm for 2:47 PM. [NOISE] Okay, I've set an alarm for 2:47 PM.
Creating a calendar item is a snap, but you can't seem to vocally remove it if you change your mind. Creating a calendar item is a snap, but you can't seem to vocally remove it if you change your mind.
[SOUND]. [SOUND].
Set an appointment for 5 PM for happy hour. Set an appointment for 5 PM for happy hour.
[NOISE] Add happy hour to your calendar for today at 5 PM. [NOISE] Add happy hour to your calendar for today at 5 PM.
Cancel my appointment for 5:00 pm tonight. Cancel my appointment for 5:00 pm tonight.
Happy hour. Happy hour.
[SOUND] You have one event today at 5:00 pm, happy hour. [SOUND] You have one event today at 5:00 pm, happy hour.
This is something you can do with Siri, though. This is something you can do with Siri, though.
Shall I remove it from your calendar? Shall I remove it from your calendar?
[SOUND] [SOUND]
Yes. Yes.
[SOUND] [SOUND]
Okay, Jessica I took it off your calendar. Okay, Jessica I took it off your calendar.
Beyond The Basics Cortana has other tricks as well. Beyond The Basics Cortana has other tricks as well.
Unlike Siri Cortana can open apps, and turn on phone settings like, [SOUND] Unlike Siri Cortana can open apps, and turn on phone settings like, [SOUND]
turn on WiFi. turn on WiFi.
[SOUND] [SOUND]
WiFi is now on. WiFi is now on.
Thanks. Thanks.
Cortana also has built-in song recognition to [UNKNOWN]. Cortana also has built-in song recognition to [UNKNOWN].
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
Google now does this a little bit better since it hooks you straight into the Google Play Store. Google now does this a little bit better since it hooks you straight into the Google Play Store.
Like Google Now, you can ask Cortana to track your flights and tell you when you leave for appointments. Like Google Now, you can ask Cortana to track your flights and tell you when you leave for appointments.
You turn on both of these in the settings. You turn on both of these in the settings.
One unique feature about Cortana can do, is run interference on calls and texts when you're sleeping, or in a meeting. One unique feature about Cortana can do, is run interference on calls and texts when you're sleeping, or in a meeting.
Microsoft calls these quiet hours. Microsoft calls these quiet hours.
Where Microsoft toots it's own horn, is in the way that Cortana understands contexts. Where Microsoft toots it's own horn, is in the way that Cortana understands contexts.
For instance if you tell it, next time I talk to my sister, remind me to tell her about my vacation plans. For instance if you tell it, next time I talk to my sister, remind me to tell her about my vacation plans.
Then the next time we text or call a reminder should pop up. Then the next time we text or call a reminder should pop up.
Sure thing. Sure thing.
[SOUND] [SOUND]
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
By the way, you can set relationships in settings under Inner Circle. By the way, you can set relationships in settings under Inner Circle.
This is something you can do in Siri as well. This is something you can do in Siri as well.
Another neat trick is being able to make follow up demands, like when you're making a reservation. Another neat trick is being able to make follow up demands, like when you're making a reservation.
[SOUND] Show me 3 star Japanese restaurants. [SOUND] Show me 3 star Japanese restaurants.
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
Here are 10 Japanese restaurants that are 3 stars. Here are 10 Japanese restaurants that are 3 stars.
How far is number 3? How far is number 3?
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
It'll take 4 minutes to drive to Sushi Fantastic. It'll take 4 minutes to drive to Sushi Fantastic.
It's less than a mile away. It's less than a mile away.
How long will it take me to walk? How long will it take me to walk?
[NOISE] It'll take 6 minutes to walk to Sushi Fantastic. [NOISE] It'll take 6 minutes to walk to Sushi Fantastic.
When it comes to having a cheeky personality, it's pretty easy to beat Google now. When it comes to having a cheeky personality, it's pretty easy to beat Google now.
That thing is a software robot. That thing is a software robot.
Siri is a snarkier contender, but it really depends on what you say. Siri is a snarkier contender, but it really depends on what you say.
What's the story of Halo? What's the story of Halo?
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
Standard Halo artifacts are around 10,000 kilometers in diameter, until the chief blows them up, that is. Standard Halo artifacts are around 10,000 kilometers in diameter, until the chief blows them up, that is.
At this point, Cortana seems to be a pretty good blend of Google Now and Siri. At this point, Cortana seems to be a pretty good blend of Google Now and Siri.
However, it's Bing-based search results don't seem quite as convenient as Google Now, and you do have a press a button every time you want to speak. However, it's Bing-based search results don't seem quite as convenient as Google Now, and you do have a press a button every time you want to speak.
But Cortana does have some promising integration with the rest of the phones that bridges with both Siri and Google can do. But Cortana does have some promising integration with the rest of the phones that bridges with both Siri and Google can do.
Things will get even more interesting as developers jump into the mix with Cortana commands that will work with their own apps as well. Things will get even more interesting as developers jump into the mix with Cortana commands that will work with their own apps as well.
We'll have much more on Cortana as the voice assistant develops over time. We'll have much more on Cortana as the voice assistant develops over time.
In the meantime, I'm Jessica Dolcourt for C|net. In the meantime, I'm Jessica Dolcourt for C|net.
You can catch my thorough comparison among Cortana, Google now, and Siri at cnet.com. You can catch my thorough comparison among Cortana, Google now, and Siri at cnet.com.
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
Hey, everyone. Hey, everyone.
Jessical Dolcourt from Cnet here with an early look at Microsoft's Cortana Voice Assistant. Jessical Dolcourt from Cnet here with an early look at Microsoft's Cortana Voice Assistant.
In a minute, I'll show you how Cortana so far stacks up against Apple's Siri and Google Now. In a minute, I'll show you how Cortana so far stacks up against Apple's Siri and Google Now.
But first, a caveat or three. But first, a caveat or three.
I've got Cortana on a pre-released version of Windows Phone 8.1. I've got Cortana on a pre-released version of Windows Phone 8.1.
Not even the developers have this yet. Not even the developers have this yet.
Cortana is in Beta and gets her knowledge from a Hive Mind, that is the Cloud, which means that she isn't at her full capacity at this stage. Cortana is in Beta and gets her knowledge from a Hive Mind, that is the Cloud, which means that she isn't at her full capacity at this stage.
Get it? Get it?
Good. Good.
Now Cortana can do the same basic things that Siri, and Goggle Now a like. Now Cortana can do the same basic things that Siri, and Goggle Now a like.
Call and text, set alarms, get directions, and search the web for practical answers to your questions. Call and text, set alarms, get directions, and search the web for practical answers to your questions.
It'll take 41 hours and 20 minutes to drive to New York. It'll take 41 hours and 20 minutes to drive to New York.
Cortana can also tell you the weather, start a note and set reminders. Cortana can also tell you the weather, start a note and set reminders.
For example, wake me up in an hour. For example, wake me up in an hour.
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
[NOISE] Okay, I've set an alarm for 2:47 PM. [NOISE] Okay, I've set an alarm for 2:47 PM.
Creating a calendar item is a snap, but you can't seem to vocally remove it if you change your mind. Creating a calendar item is a snap, but you can't seem to vocally remove it if you change your mind.
[SOUND]. [SOUND].
Set an appointment for 5 PM for happy hour. Set an appointment for 5 PM for happy hour.
[NOISE] Add happy hour to your calendar for today at 5 PM. [NOISE] Add happy hour to your calendar for today at 5 PM.
Cancel my appointment for 5:00 pm tonight. Cancel my appointment for 5:00 pm tonight.
Happy hour. Happy hour.
[SOUND] You have one event today at 5:00 pm, happy hour. [SOUND] You have one event today at 5:00 pm, happy hour.
This is something you can do with Siri, though. This is something you can do with Siri, though.
Shall I remove it from your calendar? Shall I remove it from your calendar?
[SOUND] [SOUND]
Yes. Yes.
[SOUND] [SOUND]
Okay, Jessica I took it off your calendar. Okay, Jessica I took it off your calendar.
Beyond The Basics Cortana has other tricks as well. Beyond The Basics Cortana has other tricks as well.
Unlike Siri Cortana can open apps, and turn on phone settings like, [SOUND] Unlike Siri Cortana can open apps, and turn on phone settings like, [SOUND]
turn on WiFi. turn on WiFi.
[SOUND] [SOUND]
WiFi is now on. WiFi is now on.
Thanks. Thanks.
Cortana also has built-in song recognition to [UNKNOWN]. Cortana also has built-in song recognition to [UNKNOWN].
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
Google now does this a little bit better since it hooks you straight into the Google Play Store. Google now does this a little bit better since it hooks you straight into the Google Play Store.
Like Google Now, you can ask Cortana to track your flights and tell you when you leave for appointments. Like Google Now, you can ask Cortana to track your flights and tell you when you leave for appointments.
You turn on both of these in the settings. You turn on both of these in the settings.
One unique feature about Cortana can do, is run interference on calls and texts when you're sleeping, or in a meeting. One unique feature about Cortana can do, is run interference on calls and texts when you're sleeping, or in a meeting.
Microsoft calls these quiet hours. Microsoft calls these quiet hours.
Where Microsoft toots it's own horn, is in the way that Cortana understands contexts. Where Microsoft toots it's own horn, is in the way that Cortana understands contexts.
For instance if you tell it, next time I talk to my sister, remind me to tell her about my vacation plans. For instance if you tell it, next time I talk to my sister, remind me to tell her about my vacation plans.
Then the next time we text or call a reminder should pop up. Then the next time we text or call a reminder should pop up.
Sure thing. Sure thing.
[SOUND] [SOUND]
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
By the way, you can set relationships in settings under Inner Circle. By the way, you can set relationships in settings under Inner Circle.
This is something you can do in Siri as well. This is something you can do in Siri as well.
Another neat trick is being able to make follow up demands, like when you're making a reservation. Another neat trick is being able to make follow up demands, like when you're making a reservation.
[SOUND] Show me 3 star Japanese restaurants. [SOUND] Show me 3 star Japanese restaurants.
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
Here are 10 Japanese restaurants that are 3 stars. Here are 10 Japanese restaurants that are 3 stars.
How far is number 3? How far is number 3?
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
It'll take 4 minutes to drive to Sushi Fantastic. It'll take 4 minutes to drive to Sushi Fantastic.
It's less than a mile away. It's less than a mile away.
How long will it take me to walk? How long will it take me to walk?
[NOISE] It'll take 6 minutes to walk to Sushi Fantastic. [NOISE] It'll take 6 minutes to walk to Sushi Fantastic.
When it comes to having a cheeky personality, it's pretty easy to beat Google now. When it comes to having a cheeky personality, it's pretty easy to beat Google now.
That thing is a software robot. That thing is a software robot.
Siri is a snarkier contender, but it really depends on what you say. Siri is a snarkier contender, but it really depends on what you say.
What's the story of Halo? What's the story of Halo?
[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO]
Standard Halo artifacts are around 10,000 kilometers in diameter, until the chief blows them up, that is. Standard Halo artifacts are around 10,000 kilometers in diameter, until the chief blows them up, that is.
At this point, Cortana seems to be a pretty good blend of Google Now and Siri. At this point, Cortana seems to be a pretty good blend of Google Now and Siri.
However, it's Bing-based search results don't seem quite as convenient as Google Now, and you do have a press a button every time you want to speak. However, it's Bing-based search results don't seem quite as convenient as Google Now, and you do have a press a button every time you want to speak.
But Cortana does have some promising integration with the rest of the phones that bridges with both Siri and Google can do. But Cortana does have some promising integration with the rest of the phones that bridges with both Siri and Google can do.
Things will get even more interesting as developers jump into the mix with Cortana commands that will work with their own apps as well. Things will get even more interesting as developers jump into the mix with Cortana commands that will work with their own apps as well.
We'll have much more on Cortana as the voice assistant develops over time. We'll have much more on Cortana as the voice assistant develops over time.
In the meantime, I'm Jessica Dolcourt for C|net. In the meantime, I'm Jessica Dolcourt for C|net.
You can catch my thorough comparison among Cortana, Google now, and Siri at cnet.com. You can catch my thorough comparison among Cortana, Google now, and Siri at cnet.com.
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
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