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It was all the way back in June that Microsoft promised a beta version of their Cortana virtual assistant would finally arrive for Android devices. When July finally rolled around, we saw a leaked APK spread around the internet faster than herpes at a college kegger.
It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that the app was updated to version 1.0.0.204, effectively allowing Cortana to replace Google Now’s quick startup gesture on Android devices. But the app was still only available for folks fortunate enough to be a part of the closed beta. If you were thinking about scouring the net for a leaked APK (dangerous behavior), don’t even bother wasting your time.
Today, Microsoft has announced that Cortana is now officially available to anyone on Google Play. Well, in beta form anyway. The open beta is available here, but only for Android users in the US at the moment. While Cortana on Windows 10 largely behaves the same as it does on Android, there are some key differences. For instance, the ability to use voice commands to toggle settings are a Windows-only feature for now.
Microsoft notes that this is still a beta and that they’re always listening to feedback and continually improving the user experience. In other words, expect to see more features added in the near future. For more on Cortana for Android, check out our hands-on video below.
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