Microsoft is introducing an update for its Skype chat app that will have built-in support for its digital assistant Cortana.
Users will be able to start a private chat with Microsoft Cortana in Skype and the assistant will give them quick suggestions while responding to text chats.
The update to integrate Cortana with Skype was announced more than a year-and-half ago. However, it is not clear what has been the reason for the delay. The integration would be similar to what we have seen Google do with its assistant in “Allo” and Facebook with “Messenger”.
“With Cortana’s in-context assistance, it’s easier to keep your conversations going by having Cortana suggest useful information based on your chat, like restaurant options or movie reviews. And if you’re in a time crunch? Cortana also suggests smart replies, allowing you to respond to any message quickly and easily – without typing a thing,” Skype wrote in a blog post.
Additionally, Cortana is also a contact in Skype. So you can have natural conversations in one-on-one chats with Cortana, similar to what you would do with anyone.
“Get answers to your burning questions, like the name of the lead actor in your favorite movie or what the weather outlook is for the weekend. You can also ask Cortana to check your flight status, give you a stock quote, or suggest the best restaurants in your area,” added blog post.
Cortana “will be gradually rolled out” for Skype on both Android and iOS platforms, starting with the U.S.
(Written with inputs from IANS)