Grey Cortana

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What is it with Microsoft? Guaranteed to be months, years, approaching decades you could imagine sometimes, behind the curve. They are becoming the next IBM, living on more creative licensing of Office & SQL Server and lacking the strategic direction of others.

But what of Microsoft's latest mobile device talking assistant?

This is taking on Apple's Siri and Google Now, so which is the smarter? Which is the faster and which is the most accurate. For a start, where did that name come from? Not Tom Robinsons 1977 hit 7" anyway. It's taken from Halo, the xbox game, a Spartan AI companion. Whoever coined that name deserved a bonus. Still, again they are trailing Apple, whose app has its roots way back 5 years ago.

While we seem to have too many female digital assistants, Siri can help you get in touch with your masculine side, with a nifty voice gender setting. Siri is one of the easiest to activate too, just a press of the bottom button for a few seconds, fires it up. far simpler than swiping or switching on a screen and wondering where the search icon is to hold down.

Google Now, manages the digital assistant brief and serves up related content and personal recommendations, based on search history & preferences, with that iconic strap-line 'OK Google!'. I wonder why Microsoft didn't go for 'Bing Fetch!' or similar. Bill Gates is welcome to that one from me for free.

You can yell either 'Hey Siri' or 'OK Google' at Apple or Android phones to grab some hands free action, while Microsoft is waiting to catch up on this feature. iPhones do need to be plugged in however!

All these solutions differ, but I do find Apple's Siri the simplest.

I had a Windows Phone the other day and it seemed I was not allowed to use it until I had revealed all my fave contacts, favourite DLL and most cryptic windows shortcut. Well not quite, but I would not have been surprised if the geeks at Redmond had wanted me to reveal such things. Then you can "Ask Me Anything". If you are using one, possibly avoid asking anything about maps, as that seemed to be the flakiest subject for Cortina.

Siri seemed much faster, maybe 50% the speed of Cartana for similar searches. If this was because Siri is built into the OS, I don't know, but I would suspect that would help a lot. Anyway you can probably guess my overall preference. Thats why I generally have the iPhone6 in my pocket!

Related Post: Are your staff using the power of the nudge?

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You can link with me on LinkedIn here - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy It would be great to connect !

The Tom Robinson Band - Grey Cortina.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009

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