Digital Assistant Showdown - Cortana vs. Siri

              Personal assistants, something that people have used for decades to be more productive in the work place. With technology changing every day we see our lives becoming increasingly easier with the use of computers and the internet, with that comes a cellphone in just about everybody’s pocket that can do more now than ever before and with that comes a personal assistant. Everybody knows Siri, the personal assistant that comes along with every iPhone and iPad, but there is new competition that is coming. With the launch of Windows 8.1, Cortana (a reference to the female A.I in the video game Halo) has come to go head to head with Siri and with that an aggressive ad campaign seen on TV put out by Microsoft putting those two together.

(Cortana on the Lumia 1520 vs. Siri on the iPhone 5S)

              Although I personally view myself loyal to Apple, I have to admit that Cortana is a more helpful personal assistant to those with busy schedules. Cortana can set reminders to appear when you text or call someone, calendar notes, read texts to you and allow you to give a hands-free response when connected through Bluetooth with your car. Cortana also has a better voice recognition processor.

              For those with extra free time, Cortana offers some fun features as well. For example, Cortana tells jokes, does impressions, and even knows what the fox says! Cortana also has built in music recognition processor that can compare to the popular app Shazam and integrates with the music app on the Windows phone so you can listen to it or buy it later.

              Siri on the other hand, can check voice mail, search Google for any questions, open apps, and call or text people when asked, but does not offer a hands-free text reader. Siri’s voice sounds more computerized, whereas Cortana has personality. The ad at this link, with almost 2 million views, Cortana vs. Siri shows just some of the features that Cortana offers compared to Siri. With Cortana just now entering the market it will be interesting to see how people utilize her in everyday life. Time will tell which personal assistant juggernaut will come out on top. Microsoft’s Cortana or Apple’s Siri.