A beta version of Microsoft's famous office assistant Cortana is already available to select users for testing. The latest update from Microsoft team suggests that the company has programed the app to become the default assistant of smartphone users instead of Google Now. In the next few weeks, Microsoft has confirmed that it will release the app to Android users across the globe.

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According to NDTV Gadgets, in the updated version of Cortana, Microsoft has added the new feature using which people will be able to set Cortana as their default assistant. In simple terms, the new feature will allow users to replace Google Now. The official release of the app is scheduled to happen in the next few weeks. Once released, Cortana's first comparison is going to be with Google Now. Analysts are keen to see how the coveted app fares on a competitor's platform. This is because in spite of Cortana's hyped launch, it will lack one basic advantage which is integration into the system hardware and apps which could affect its overall performance.

Another report on Android Authority said that the feature allowing users to replace the Google Now app with Cortana may actually hold the key to the success of the application on Android operating system. Meanwhile the report also clarified that Google Now will be accessible through other options. U

sers will finally be able to see the Cortana app by long pressing the home button which previously led them to Google Now; however, the Android version will lack the Hey Cortana feature which is its signature attraction on the Windows phone. Cortana is extremely popular amongst Window phone users.

Microsoft said that it will not be able to introduce the Hey Cortana feature simply due to hardware constraints. The company also said that its future plans were to integrate the mobile app with the desktop version and give users unilateral access. As of now, given the wide range of features that the Cortana app possess, it can emerge as the single most powerful competitor against Google Now. 

TagsMicrosoft Cortana, Cortana for android