Microsoft today made its Cortana voice-activated personal assistant available to Android users via the Google Play Store beta channel.
The app had previously only been available through a closed beta, but is now accessible through an open beta program. Cortana for Android can be used to track flights and other calendar appointments, set reminders and alarms, and monitor packages.
Cortana can also supplant Google Now on Android handsets if users so wish. Cortana beta testers can set Cortana to launch with a long press of the home button, which makes it easier to use Cortana on Android phones. Cortana testers will still be able to interact with and launch Google Now on their handsets via other actions.
Cortana for Android is free to download from Microsoft’s beta site in the Google Play Store. Microsoft is still working to bring Cortana to iOS devices.
