Cortana is Used in Windows 10 (Photo : YouTube - Microsoft in Education)
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is now locking down their digital assistant Cortana to only be used with the Edge browser and the Bing search engine on Windows 10 computers.
The Redmond-based company has confirmed that they are finally removing the choice for users to use other browsers or search engines with Cortana. Users won't be able to ask Cortana to launch web pages or to search for something if the Edge browser or Bing search engine is not used.
For most Internet users, they are comfortable with using the popular Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) search engine and even their Google Chrome browser. However, it won't really be a large problem as they can just manually open the browser and search for what they want.
Microsoft said in an official blog post that "some software programs" have been bypassing the specific design of Windows 10 to redirect users to search providers that are not really supported by Cortana. The company added that it ultimately leads to a "compromised experience."
"The continuity of these types of task completion scenarios is disrupted if Cortana can't depend on Bing as the search provider and Microsoft Edge as the browser," Microsoft said in the blog post.
Those who really use Cortana with their everyday tasks will be the affected ones in Microsoft's new decision. Cortana is one of the exclusive features for Windows 10, which is Microsoft's last stop for Windows.
The decision does not mean that users won't be able to use Chrome, Opera and other browsers width Windows 10. They can still set them as the default web browsers, according to PC World.
Internet users are also not really fond of using Bing as their search engine. It falls far behind Google as one of the most used search engines across the world.
Microsoft's attempt to lock Cortana to their software programs and search engine can come off as a little desperate. However, they do have valid reasons to do so.
Cortana also has some nifty tricks that users can take advantage of. For instance, searching for "Domino's Pizza" using Cortana will also allow the user to view the closest branches through the digital assistant.
Windows 10 users will have to weigh the pros and cons if they would like to use the Bing search engine and Edge browser just to have Cortana by their side. Microsoft's decision would hopefully do more good than harm.
Speaking of Windows 10, Microsoft seems to be very persistent in asking previous version users in upgrading. One weather forecast on live television was even interrupted by the annoying upgrade pop up screen, according to KCCI.
News Meteorologist Metinka Slater was just doing her job in reporting the weather forecasts when suddenly the upgrade box for Windows 10 popped up. The video eventually went viral.
Microsoft's recent tactics in moving people to Windows 10 may appear to be drastic. Their recent decision to lock Cortana to their own browser and search engine is another testament to their commitment.
