Microsoft is giving Cortana a major update that will allow it to encroach upon its rival Google Now's home territory.
The latest update to Cortana for Android, which bumps it up to version 1.0.0.204, allows users to ditch Google Now and set Cortana as the default digital assistant on their devices.
To do this, users simply press and hold the home button. This will allow Android to ask the user if they want to complete the action using Google Now or Cortana. Of course, there will still be other ways for Google Now to be accessible, but Cortana will become the primary digital assistant for that phone.
Also, users can reverse their settings if they want to go back to Google Now by going to the App Info settings page of Cortana and clearing the defaults. The next time they press and hold the home button, Android will ask them again if they want to use Google Now or Cortana.
Cortana for Android is currently in beta, and only users in the United States and China can currently sign up for the beta program, which Microsoft announced in July.
"Because your life is not limited to one device, neither is your digital assistant," writes Microsoft's Anannya Podder in a blog post. "Cortana is with you on your Windows 10 PC, tablet and phone - helping you whenever and wherever you need it. But we also know that there's a choice of mobile devices out there, so we want help from our Windows Insiders to make sure she's a great personal assistant on Android too."
Admittedly, hardware limitations currently prevent Cortana for Android from being activated with "Hey Cortana," so users who value this feature will have to go back to Google Now so they can say "Ok Google" to turn up their digital assistants.
However, there are still a number of advantages that users can gain by choosing Cortana over Google Now, even if just for the time being to test which small personal assistant is best for them. The Halo character turned digital assistant tweaked for Android offers pretty much the same features as it does on Windows 10 and Windows Phone, aside from voice activation.
For instance, Cortana is more willing to ask follow-up questions about what the user wants to make sure she gets the request right, unlike Google Now, which automatically does things even when it's not told and makes quite a few mistakes in the process. Also, Cortana is a pro at setting appointments, while Google Now is better at looking for places and giving directions because of its access to Google Maps. Also, Cortana is compatible with more email providers, except for Yahoo, while Google Now only works with Gmail.
