Cortana can now extend its functions beyond Microsoft's environment, supporting professionals to complete all sorts of tasks in a select third-party platform. Microsoft's virtual assistant gets integrated into LinkedIn, effectively connecting experts in the largest online professional network.
Microsoft's productivity assistant allows users to balance their professional and personal lives across multiple Windows devices, from phones and tablets to PCs. Cortana manages calendar reminders, searches for important files, provides weather information and even tracks USP packages, not to mention that it also chats with users and tells jokes, making the digital assistant even more personal.
Windows 10 Mail and Calendar users won't have a problem in getting used to the new feature. The recent development simply improves users' experience by providing more information. When users connect their LinkedIn profiles to Cortana, the virtual assistant will also provide information about selected professionals, including their photos, companies and their job titles as well as links to their LinkedIn profiles. Connected users will also be able to send LinkedIn requests directly from Cortana's meeting reminders.
This isn't the first time that Microsoft did something like this, as it already implemented a similar integration in Outlook. Cortana can also connect with Office 365 already, providing similar functions.
It seems like business users will enjoy the new functions, but private individuals may not share the same sentiment. Some even described these additions as "creepy," saying that they will show too much personal information not usually included in calendar data. Also, when a person views someone else's LinkedIn profile, they will know who viewed them, which could lead to awkward situations right before a meeting.
However, it's still too early to say how the majority of LinkedIn and Cortana users will react to the additions. This is, after all, only the beginning of productivity features that Microsoft intends to roll out, and the company hopes to further improve users' experience with Cortana.
"This feature starts rolling out today, and we look forward to continuing to work with LinkedIn to bring more productive and personal experiences to you in the future," Microsoft wrote on its blog.
Photo: Mike Mozart | Flickr
