Do you remember that some time ago, when Microsoft has launched Cortana in an update of Windows 10, we all wondered how can we disable Cortana? I wrote about how can we hide Cortana from TaskBar at the beginning of 2015 and many users did this. I mean, at that time, the virtual assistant didn't show much interest. However, once with Anniversary Update, Microsoft has not allowed this virtual assistant to be uninstalled.
From then until today (end of 2019), Microsoft has not innovated much on the virtual assistant Cortana, and Siri (Apple) and especially Google Assistant they are much more advanced. They really learned to talk to users, provide relevant information and control applications and utilities.
Microsoft did not stop only at the Windows 10 operating system, and in January 2017 and January 2018 respectively, Cortana was launched for Android and IOS. However, it seems that it was not a good business for Microsoft to develop this application for third party operating systems, foreign to the company.
An article recently published by Microsoft tells us that the Cortana assistant will be withdrawn from Android and iOS starting on January 31, 2020. Cortana will be present as part of the Microsoft 365 productivity applications, and the development orientation of the virtual assistant will be for business and office. Let's be honest, for “home users”, Cortana didn't really have a point.
Those who used Cortana on Android and iOS, starting with the date mentioned above, will no longer have access to reminders and notes from the Cortana application or Microsoft Launcher on Android and iOS. This information will be synchronized in the Microsoft To Do application, which is free and can be installed on all devices.
To make your personal digital assistant as helpful as possible, we’re integrating Cortana into your Microsoft 365 productivity apps. As part of this evolution, on January 31st, 2020, we’re ending support for the Cortana app on Android and iOS in your market. At that point, the Cortana content you created–such as reminders and lists–will no longer function in the Cortana mobile app or Microsoft Launcher, but can still be accessed through Cortana on Windows. Also, Cortana reminders, lists, and tasks are automatically synced to the Microsoft To Do app, which you can download to your phone for free.
Therefore, only Microsoft 365 users will have access to Cortana. Which means that the virtual assistant will only be available for Enterprise / Business.
If it is a good or bad step, we will see in the future. At the moment, there is no global drama. Over the years, all major companies have withdrawn services and applications, which were soon replaced by much more capable ones.
