Earlier this year, it was revealed that Microsoft was working on a way to get its Cortana assistant working on the lock screen of Android phones. Now that feature is official.
Microsoft is officially rolling out Android lock screen support for its Cortana app. With this feature, you can get answers to your questions, set reminders, and more, all without having to unlock your smartphone.
The addition of lock screen support is big for Cortana. Because Microsoft’s assistant isn’t built into Android like Google’s is, folks that want to use Cortana would previously have to unlock the phone and launch the Cortana app, which takes more steps than just using Google’s assistant. Now you can get Cortana info without unlocking your Android device, making it a much more attractive option.
Microsoft is also improving the Cortana home on Android. These enhancements include glanceable info like your schedule, commute times, and reminders, as well as the ability to quickly add reminders and new calendar items. Lists are easier to access with this update, too.
Finally, Microsoft is rolling out its Cortana apps for Android and iOS in Australia today.
