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Cortana Beta Tests Released by Microsoft via TestFlight for iOS

Earlier this year in August, Microsoft started beta tests for their new virtual personal assistant app, Cortana. Now the app has been released for iOS beta tests on Testflight which should give users an idea about how much range its cross-platform capabilities are going to be.

The new app will compete for iOS customers with Apple's Siri and Google now. All three virtual assistants are able to perform tasks a personal assistant might help you with, like looking up movie times. The big draw to Cortana is its capacity for cross-platform use. To give an example, you will be able to set up a reminder on your computer before leaving home and receive a notice on your phone after hitting the road.

In fact, AppleInsider notes, "TestFlight encourages beta testers to "see whether she can talk with you like a real personal assistant."

In addition to the above, The Times Gazette reports that, "The beta version of this app offers help in managing schedules, alarms, reminders, voice powered assistance and the ability to track things like stocks, packages, flights, scores and more."

The beta testers will be few since Microsoft is making the beta test download available through TestFlight which has several limitations, including a cap of 2000 testers per application and a testing period of only 60 days.

Warenotice was the first to report the news after they received an invitation to test the Cortana iOS Beta on TestFlight. "Microsoft first began allowing users to sign up to get the Cortana for iOS beta a few weeks ago, when it published a survey for Windows Insiders interested in the beta to fill out."

There is no expected release date at this time, but the cross-platform testing project is in full swing, so it should not be much longer.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the app's namesake, Cortana is the name of the Master Chief's virtual sidekick in the X-Box exclusive game, Halo.

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