Microsoft-built virtual assistant Cortana has now made an appearance in Cyanogen OS v12.1.1.
Reported on a One Plus forum post, the Cyanogen OS update has the build number 12.1-YOG7DAS2K1, and has now brought the Cortana experience to select smartphones that run on the Android-based Cyanogen OS. One of the handsets that are ready to receive the update is the OnePlus One.
The update follows the announcement by Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster in an interview with International Business Times, unveiling that Microsoft and the company would be working hand-in-hand to bring Cortana to Cyanogen-based smartphones.
Microsoft also announced earlier through a blog post on the official site that Cortana would be made available to non-Windows smartphones, and slowly the voice-based assistant is now being launched for iOS and Android operating systems.
The integration of Cortana into the Cyanogen OS allows users to set location-based reminders on devices that pop-out when the owner of the handset arrives at the set location. Cortona also informs Windows desktop owners when a smartphone synced with the desktop is getting a phone call, and owners can instruct the phone to text the caller to call later.
Cortona further allows other productivity tasks like checking and tracking flights, packages and more. The assist feature also allows users to change phone settings like enabling the silent mode via a voice prompt.
However, some Cortana abilities have not been allowed on non-Windows phones like prompting the assistant by saying "Hey, Cortana." But because of Windows' close partnership to Cyanogen, the voice activation prompt on Cyanogen-based firmware has been enabled.
Cyanogen is a young tech start-up that offers an alternative operating system for smartphones. The OS built by the company is based on Android firmwares, and brings Google app integrations such as Gmail, Google Maps and many more. The partnership with Cyanogen allows Windows to showcase its abilities to a larger user base.
