Microsoft wants Cortana to replace Google Now on your Android device

Looks like, Microsoft is all set to take on Google with its new Translator app. The new app can be accessed on a variety of devices and supports 50 different languages. In the latest beta version, users can replace the shortcut for Google Now by pressing and holding their devices’ Home buttons, according to a report from The Verge. Of course, there will still be other ways for Google Now to be accessible, but Cortana will become the primary digital assistant for that phone.

When ready, Cortana will make a debut into the wild with most of the features available for Windows Phone users, except for “Hey Cortana” voice activation feature. She can’t be accessed through “Hey Cortana” on Android just yet, which is one drawback for folks like myself who frequently rely on the “OK Google” command.

So Microsoft is still hoping the Cortana might be a kind of Google Now replacement for some people.

This latest Cortana update brings the beta up to version 1.0.0.204, and is available on the Google Play Store for those in the program. This will no doubt help make Cortana better integrated with the Android operating system, but even then there are some limitations. It also means users have less of a reason to pick up a smartphone that is powered by Windows 10 Mobile. That’s mostly because of hardware compatibility issues rather than software.

Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant is able to do numerous same things that other devices with personal assistants are able to do, such as answer questions using information gained from search engines, setting reminders, and recognizing a user’s voice for voice-activated services.

Microsoft is giving Cortana a major update that will allow it to encroach upon its rival Google Now’s home territory. If so, you can sign up to test it on Android here.