Introduction
Microsoft’s Cortana has become an integral part of its Windows 10 operating system and provides artificial intelligence assistance to a user’s commands.
Yesterday, Microsoft released a new Windows 10 update to Windows Insiders in the Fast Ring. This update posted via a
blog has one of the biggest changes in the recent releases of the Windows 10 operating system. The updates include a new UI for the Start and Action Center, and improvements in several areas including Microsoft Edge, Cortana, handwriting experience with a pen, keyboard, shell, my people, night light, settings, fonts, gaming, developers, ease to access and lot more.
Here is a list of the key improvements in Cortana.
Taking Cortana reminders to the next level through vision intelligence
Most of us have experienced taking a picture of upcoming event posters or bookmarking an event site for future reference, only to forget about it later. With this build, we’re rolling out two new features starting with the US market to help you never again miss an event you’re interested in!
Cortana camera roll insights
With your permission, Cortana will now prompt you to create a reminder when she notices event posters in your camera roll! To try it out, make sure you’re signed in to Cortana with your MSA or work account, and then give Cortana permission to access your camera roll via Settings > Cortana > Permissions & history > “Manage the information Cortana can access from this device”. The next time you take a picture of a flyer for an upcoming event, Cortana will reach out asking if you want to create a reminder for that time.
Note
Cortana will only provide insights when your device is plugged into a power source and on an un-metered network.
Cortana Lasso
Are you a pen user? If so, Cortana can now help keep track of future events on your screen!
Use the new lasso tool to circle the relevant information and Cortana will recognize the time, and offer suggested follow-ups through a context menu. Keeping track of upcoming events has never been easier!
To try it out, go to Settings > Device > Pen & Windows Ink > Press and hold, and select Cortana Lasso in the dropdown picker. Find a website with upcoming event info, or an event poster someone shared in social media – once you have the event on your screen, just press and hold the pen back button, circle the time information, and watch Cortana do her magic.
It's that easy!