(ThyBlackMan.com) Alexa Cortana integration release preview gave us an idea of how these two voice assistants will work together on Microsoft Windows 10 and Amazon Echo speakers. Users in the United States can try this feature as in mid-August, both the companies showed off some skills these two virtual assistants will offer together and a preview is also available.
This Alexa Cortana integration is in its basic stage, but users in certain places around the world can try it as the new features are being added to both the systems. Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President, Cortana Engineering, Andrew Shuman has confirmed that later this year, this feature will be available worldwide as the company will start rolling out updates.
How to use Alexa on Windows 10 PC
To use Alexa on Windows 10, you will have to summon Cortana through a voice command “Cortana, open Alexa.” That way you can launch Alexa on your Windows 10 PCs. Microsoft is also planning to release its Alexa Cortana integration on mobile devices. Shuman confirmed that after this integration lands on PC, Android and iOS users will be able to use Alexa via Cortana.
To make Cortana talk to Alexa, you just need to open Cortana on your Windows 10 PC and ask Cortana to “Open Alexa.” You’ll see a popup window and from there you can link your Amazon account with Cortana. After that, when you’ll ask Cortana to open Alexa, you will be able to use Alexa skills right from your Windows 10 PC.
For example, you want to order something from Amazon but your Echo speaker is at home. In this situation, you can just ask Cortana to open Alexa, and once Alexa is ready, you can make a purchase on Amazon through Alexa via Cortana.
At this time, there’s no way to activate Alexa via Cortana using a mobile device or your Xbox One console. You’ll need a PC running Windows 10 to make this integration work. It may sound a bit annoying at first, but hey, this integration is in its testing phase so it’s unfair to blame Microsoft or Amazon since these companies have promised that they are working on other solutions as well.
How to use Cortana on Amazon Echo Speakers
The same process can be followed on the Amazon Echo range of speakers. If you want to check your schedule or your to-do list which is set on your Windows 10 PC, ask Alexa to open Cortana and from there you can do things accordingly.
To activate Cortana on Alexa, you will have to follow a very simple process. Download the Alexa app on your mobile phone, hit the menu button which you can find at the top left corner. From there, choose “Skills” and search Cortana. Keep in mind that the Skills option will function only if you have set up your Echo device. So, if you have not done that yet, do it first and then follow the steps mentioned above. If you see Cortana listed among the search results, tap it and enable the skill. Now your Echo device is ready to run Cortana. Just say “Hey Alexa, open Cortana” and you’re good to go.
In a joint press release, Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO and Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said that both the virtual assistants will work together on Windows 10 and Amazon Echo devices. With this move, Nadella aims to deliver Cortana’s knowledge and its integration with tools like Office 365, emails and reminders to Alexa. Amazon, on the other hand, will make sure that Cortana users will be able to interact with many of the Alexa skills built by third-party developers. At present, Alexa has more than 20,000 skills developed by third-party developers and according to reports, in the U.S. alone, Alexa has more than 30,000 skills.
The best thing about this Alexa Cortana integration is that it can also work outside the Amazon and Windows 10 accounts. For example, you can play games on Alexa or you can check the weather and read news via Cortana. This integration, in its complete form, will be available later this year.
Staff Writer; Corey Shaw
Have any Tech Tips? News? Hit up our Tech Guru at; CoreyS@ThyBlackMan.com
