Microsoft Corporation, the global software giant has started rolling out Cortana for Apple’s iOS platform to beta testers in a new attempt to rival Google Now and Apple’s Siri. Cortana is a voice-based personal digital assistant that does all your work on your device only through the commands given by the user via their voice. Microsoft has launched this app for Windows PC and mobile users. It seems imminent that the tech giant, Microsoft will release Cortana for iOS officially very soon.

According to the reports, Microsoft has already started rolling out the Cortana beta app for iOS to those testers who applied for the beta program earlier this month. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it will bring Cortana to Android and iOS rival mobile operating systems by the end of the year. As promised, the company began inviting Cortana for iOS beta testers, and it is now making the app accessible to those who signed up.

Features of Microsoft Cortana App for iOS

Microsoft has started rolling out the Microsoft Cortana app for the Apple iOS as a beta version. Cortana for iOS will be launched as a test version. Cortana reduces your search for things on your mobile device or PC so that you can do your work with much ease. Cortana can help you do various things just by typing your commands or verbally speaking with it.  It will be launched with amazing features that include:

• Capable of accepting voice commands
• Schedules calendar events and reminders
• Ability to track necessary information and search Bing
• Get info on restaurants
• Get directions
• Track a user’s interests

Microsoft’s Cortana would not be capable enough to offer as many features on Apple’s iPhone or iPad as it does on Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile phone. As we all know, Apple’s mobile operating system (iOS) offers inadequate integration with system apps, components, and third-party apps. This eventually results in a limitation of the number of things an app could do. Cortana will allow users to set meeting reminders using the app, and use voice commands to ask questions to Cortana.

Android don’t have any limitation on the number of users who could beta test an app. Unlike on Android, Apple iOS will be able to test Cortana before its public release to all, which is limited to only 2,000 users. The reason behind this is that Microsoft is using Apple’s TestFlight, a beta testing system for iOS to distribute beta apps, which only allows up to 2,000 users to test an app. A beta period could be set to 60 days.

Microsoft aims at expanding the Cortana’s reach even more by bringing the digital assistant into the automotive world. Currently, the app is only available to a handful of users, mostly Apple iOS beta testers. As of now, Cortana is only open for beta testing in the United States and China.