Curiously, Microsoft has modified the wake phrase because it was stripped out of the working system final yr. Beforehand, customers must say “Hey, Cortana” to wake the digital assistant from its slumber and begin listening to your request.

However now, following the reintroduction of the know-how, Microsoft is just listening out for “Cortana”. Apple and Google each require an extended wake phrase, “Hey Siri” and “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google” respectively, to keep away from false-positives.

With the most recent change, Microsoft is now following within the footsteps of Amazon’s hugely-successful assistant Alexa, which may be activated with its two-syllable title alone.

Microsoft might want to build-up Cortana’s talent set earlier than the Home windows 10 assistant can compete with the likes of Google Assistant and Alexa, nonetheless, it’s good to see that the Redmond-based agency is as soon as once more within the race. For now, you’ll solely have the ability to ask in regards to the climate, get Cortana to let you know a joke, or launch settings menu, like Bluetooth choices, with a voice command.

Sadly, you gained’t have the ability to order a taxi, like Microsoft demoed on-stage throughout an early Home windows 10 keynote, or juggle playlists out of your favorite music streaming service. For these duties, you’ll nonetheless wish to have an Amazon Echo or Google Nest plugged-in close by.