Introducing: Cortana?

[jhu]

MS gives us Cortana; their version of Siri.

So now we can have our own large-breasted and slouching AI!

 

[Markbnj]

I was impressed that they got Harry Potter for the unveiling.

 

[momeNt]

Finally an April's Fool's that waited a day, so it could actually surprise people.

 

[Ichinisan]

Finally an April's Fool's that waited a day, so it could actually surprise people.

Heard about this months ago, so...no.

 

[Leros]

Looks like it requires a lot of manual setup. Google Now seems to automatically learn things about me like quiet hours, my friend, places I care about, websites I care about, etc.

 

[rockyct]

Looks like it requires a lot of manual setup. Google Now seems to automatically learn things about me like quiet hours, my friend, places I care about, websites I care about, etc.

"The notion of Cortana acting as a personal assistant with a notebook— as opposed to a creepy stalker — has been drilled into the team from the beginning, they say. She also operates and functions by learning your habits and interests from your phone use, location, and communications. You can speak to Cortana or just input text, but she’ll always ask you before she stores any information she finds in her Notebook."

http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5570866/cortana-windows-phone-8-1-digital-assistant

Personally, I think I would prefer to tell it basic information than have it learn everything. I'm sure Cortana could learn how Google Now learns but they are being very careful to not creep people on. That creepiness factor will go away with time as people get more used to Siri/Google Now/Cortana, but I think they would rather err with users being more comfortable giving information.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

I could use a creepy stalker in my life tbh.

 

[ImpulsE69]

...and so Her becomes real life...

 

[Veliko]

This will make my Master Chief costume all the more authentic.

 

[Broheim]

Personally, I think I would prefer to tell it basic information than have it learn everything. I'm sure Cortana could learn how Google Now learns but they are being very careful to not creep people on. That creepiness factor will go away with time as people get more used to Siri/Google Now/Cortana, but I think they would rather err with users being more comfortable giving information.

the google now creepiness factor is multiplied tenfold by the fact it's run by google, the stalkiest of stalkers out there.

I like microsoft's approach of giving users more control over their data.

 

[Leros]

the google now creepiness factor is multiplied tenfold by the fact it's run by google, the stalkiest of stalkers out there.

I like microsoft's approach of giving users more control over their data.

I personally would never have spent time to set up if it had so many settings is Cortana.

Most users (except for power users) don't change settings so MS needs to make sure the defaults provide a useful experience or this will be a flop.

 

[purbeast0]

i don't have sound here at work, but is that the same cortana voice from the halo series?

 

[phucheneh]

Could not stand listening to nerdy hipster douche Adrien Brody. Turned off video by the time he said 'powered by Bing.' LOL.

In reply to previous post, it sounds like the Halo Cortana, but it's been a while since I played one of those games. Seems more genericized, though.

edit: Also, when the fuck is MS going to just go ahead and give us Windows 9? Are they really going to keep trying to nurse Windows 8 along instead of just throwing it in the every-other-Windows abortion heap with WinMe and Vista? Fucking Jesus what a terrible operating system. 'It's like dysfunctional Android and/or iOS! FOR DESKTOPS! BRILLIANT!'

 

[rockyct]

i don't have sound here at work, but is that the same cortana voice from the halo series?

Basically yes. Jen Taylor is doing the voicework but you're really only hearing her during the more canned responses. The digitalized voice tries to get as close to Taylor's as they can right now but they are still recording her. Cortana will launch as a beta but it'll get better as time goes on obviously.

 

[Broheim]

I personally would never have spent time to set up if it had so many settings is Cortana.

Most users (except for power users) don't change settings so MS needs to make sure the defaults provide a useful experience or this will be a flop.

i've been reading up on cortana, seems like it will learn just like google now as default but you can manage its knowledge about you after it learns, or you can add something if you feel like it.