Software giant Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) will issue a new Windows 10 Anniversary update to allow users connect their Android devices to Windows 10 and receive notifications on their desktops, using the Cortana app. The health app has also been updated and people can compare their process with friends.
Integration of devices is the main Microsoft strategy to differentiate itself from other software developers, since Windows tablets, PCs, and smartphones use almost the same operative system. As a result, introducing support for Android notifications could attract new segments of users.
Apple OS X can be connected to an iPhone to make calls and show notifications on a PC, since the Mavericks update. However, it does not offer support for Android, which is the worldwide leader mobile operative system, with more than 1.4 billion active devices by September 2015.
The new feature called “notification mirroring” was presented at the BUILD conference in San Francisco, where Microsoft met with developers on technical sessions to impulse the creation of a “cloud-first, mobile-first” world.
Notification mirroring will work using the Cortana app, which is currently available on the App Store and the Play Store. However, it will later function as an integrated feature of the operating system, said the Economic Times.
Microsoft has not specified release dates of the Windows 10 Anniversary update. However, analysts suggest that it will be available in late summer.
Microsoft wants you to compete with friends with the updated Health app
A new update for Android, iOS and Windows Phone allow users to compare their fitness processes with friends who use the same Health app. It includes data such as burned calories, physical activity, running distances, cardio minutes and bike rides.
Moreover, the app offers new features for the Microsoft Band 2, allowing users to add up to 20 titles for different activities. The notification system was also updated and users can select which apps are allowed to send them notifications to their bands.
Facebook, Twitter and email notifications show more text than before, which had been requested by several Band 2 users. To enjoy the new Band 2 update, people just need to download the latest version of the Health app on their smartphones.
Satya Nadella talks about Cortana
Microsoft CEO has joined the conversation of artificial intelligence and personal assistants, after the BUILD conference. He explained to Business Insider that thanks to the cloud advances, Cortana is more powerful than ever, since it is now available to almost all devices, including computers, smartphones and the HoloLens.
“So I’m running late to a meeting. The personal assistant realizes that, automatically on my behalf reschedules or notifies the person because it knows my calendar. I’m not doing some texting and driving,” he commented.
Mr. Nadella has encouraged developers to create new bots, using cognitive cloud services. For instance, there could be a bot for Slack, Line or Facebook, he said. Currently, Cortana is the only voice assistant that offers support for APIs.
“I don’t think of Windows for mobile differently than Windows for HoloLens or Windows for Xbox now. We have only one Windows. We don’t have multiple Windows. They run across multiple form factors, but it’s one developer platform, one store, one tool chain for developers,” he added.
Source: Business Insider