Definition: Cortana

Microsoft's virtual assistant. In 2014, Cortana was added to Microsoft's now-defunct smartphone. A year later, it was added to Windows 10, and Cortana apps for iOS and Android were released. However, in 2021, the smartphone versions were discontinued, and the Windows version was replaced with Bing Chat, later renamed Copilot.

Cortana provides answers similar to Siri and Google Assistant. It also offers event-based notifications; for example, "When your sister calls, congratulate her." Cortana activates Skype calls from voice commands, and it is integrated into Microsoft's Edge browser, which replaced Internet Explorer (see Edge browser). See Copilot, Windows Phone and virtual assistant.

A Sassy Answer

A bit like Siri when asked provocative questions, PCMag.com lead software analyst Michael Muchmore asked Cortana "which was better... Siri or Cortana?" (Image courtesy of PCMag.com.)