Unwrap Cortana's Easter eggs
With the release of Windows 10 comes a new update to Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant. Here are some of the fun things you can ask her.
Hey Cortana!
Cortana made her first appearance as an assistant in Windows Phone 8.1. With the release of Windows 10, PC and tablet users can now ask her for help.
To get her to answer your questions, simply hold down the Windows key and C, or activate Hey Cortana from the menus.
Here are her responses to some pressing life questions and her role in Halo.
Who's your daddy?
Cortana doesn't like to brag, but if you ask her "Who's your daddy?" she will give you this response.
"Technically speaking, that'd be Bill Gates. No big deal."
Do you like Clippy?
While Cortana can easily hide away if you don't need her help, Microsoft's earlier virtual assistant was not so camera shy. Clippit (or Clippy as he affectionately became known) first appeared in Microsoft Office 97.
He wasn't the most popular kid in class, and Cortana has several fun answers to the question, "Do you like Clippy?" or "Where is Clippy?"
Do you like Clippy?
This is just one of her responses to the age-old Clippy question.
Where is Master Chief?
Cortana is the artificial intelligence character in the Halo video games. If you ask her about Master Chief, she has a few different responses as to his whereabouts.
"Hopefully getting some R&R. He HAS saved the galaxy three or four times. The guy needs a vacation."
Tell me about Halo 5
On the topic of the next Halo game, however, she's not so forthcoming.
What does the fox say?
Do you like earworms? Well, Cortana has a doozy for you. Ask her, "What does the fox say" and you'll get her rendition of this Internet sensation.
You can also ask her to "Sing me a song," and she'll bust out any number of catchy tunes like "On Top of Spaghetti."
Do you want to go on a date?
Cortana has the perfect sassy answer to this question for the lonely (and inquisitive) Windows 10 user.
"I'll work on being more human, you work on being more digital."
What do you think of Siri?
Ask Cortana what she thinks of that other virtual assistant from Apple, and you will get several incredibly diplomatic replies.
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
This one is for the Monty Python fans. An unladen swallow? She's got the answer for you.
"What do you mean? An African or European swallow?"
Use the force.
Well, she says it all really.
Are you better than Google Now?
Cortana takes Google Now and challenges him, her or it to a duel based on name alone.
What is your favorite day?
As you can see, Cortana has a sense of humor on par with the classic Dad joke. We still love it, though.
"I'm a big fan of any day that ends in y".
Rock, paper, scissors
Let Cortana solve the age-old dilemma of choosing a side with rock, paper or scissors. She comes up trumps every time.
Those are just a few of Cortana's Easter eggs. Enjoy the hunt as you track them all down.