More Details About Microsoft’s Cortana Revealed

Microsoft is busy at work with making its personal digital assistant, Cortana, competitive; and recently, they gave us a sneak preview its capabilities. Thanks to The Verge, we now have a bit more information about Cortana.


As we mentioned before, Halo fans will probably be disappointed to see a blue circle instead of the female version in the game. The blue circle will let you know when Cortana is thinking or doing something for you.


And, not unlike Siri, Cortana is rather flexible – in terms of how to address its user. I’m sure iPhone users have had their fair share of kicks from having Siri call them “The Dragon Warrior” or something just as awesome. Well, Windows Phone users are going to have that pleasure as well.


Cortana


In a manner which is more similar to Google Now, Cortana saves key data and information in what is called a Notebook system. So, from the locations you frequent to reminders to other personal information you input, Cortana will be able to access that data and help you manage your life in a more efficient manner.


Additionally, Cortana can tap into your emails and track important details mentioned in them – like flights and meetings.


As can be expected, Cortana will be powered by Bing. And, for more contextual computing power, other services are going to be used as well, including Foursquare.


After learning of these new details, I think I might have to backtrack on what I said in my initial Cortana post (that it probably can’t hold its own against Siri). If Cortana can actually combine the features of Siri and the power of Google Now, it might just become THE digital personal assistant that we all have always wanted.


Do you think Microsoft will be able to rise up to the challenge?


[Image via The Verge]


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This Wearable Device Sits Discreetly On Your Ear

Kazuhiro Taniguchi from the Hiroshima City University has developed a new wearable technology device but it is rather more inconspicuous than Google Glass, being worn on your ear rather than directly on your face.


The prototype device, which Taniguchi has named Ear Switch, has an interface that uses infrared waves that detect when you open or close your mouth, which then send command signals to the device. Once connected to a device like a smartphone it would be possible to navigate through apps by simply raising an eyebrow, clenching your teeth or wiggling your nose.


ear switch wearable tech


Ear Switch also has a speaker, microphone, compass, gyro-sensors, barometer and GPS functions built in to it and allows you to operate it completely hands free. At the moment Taniguchi has chosen not to release any technical details and therefore renders it simply a concept with no immediate plan to bring it to market.


However it is definitely an interesting concept and would make a good rival to the Glass device, mainly because it is less intrusive. Positioned on the ear it is less visible and that could give it the edge over Google Glass, appealing to those who want the advantages of a wearable device without letting the whole world know that they are wearing it.


Taniguchi feels that the Ear Switch’s sensors have a potential use for tracking the wearers health, much like other wearable devices already available. Reports suggest that he is looking to work with a big name firm in order to develop and release a commercial version of the Ear Switch next year.



[Image via Japan Times]


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