Cortana, Microsoft's intelligent personal assistant, has come to life recently with a richer integration with third party apps. A few voice commands shall now be enough to get you a cab or book a room in a hotel or update you with news.
Silicon Angle reported that first thing to do before using a voice command to run one's app is wake up Cortana. She can be summoned with a simple "Hey Cortana."
PC Mag reported that in February this year, Hulu launched its apps on Windows 10 devices. Its app is integrated with Cortana. Hence, a user can search for or watch a TV show or a movie with a simple voice command. Hulu App is also designed to resume a show from where once last left off. According to Silicon Angle, a similar integration can be activated between Cortana and Netflix.
Cortana can be integrated with Uber. This allows users to get a cab to their location by simply saying- "Uber, get me an Uber Black". Since Cortana can locate one's GPS, an Uber can come directly to one's present location.
Silicon Angle mentions that Cortana allows users to tweet through their voice commands. On saying "Twitter, new tweet", Twitter can be activated. Thereafter, a user may dictate its tweet to Cortana who shall type the same.
According to Silicon Angle, Cortana can be integrated with fitness apps like Fitbit. Thereafter, a user can log in their diet or exercise into their accounts through voice commands given to Cortana.
Cortana works with Skype for calls, Insteon for controlling one's smart home, Expedia for booking hotel rooms, Dictionary for looking up words and USA today for getting news.
PC World mentions that to get most out of Cortana, users should first identify which of their apps can be integrated with it. After that Cortana promises a magical experience.