"Hey Cortana" - Any PC users actually still using it?

[dermbrian]

The "Hey Cortana" voice recognition was probably THE major reason I was a very early upgrader from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. In my experience, on my multiple PC's, it has never worked to where I was able to use it. It's not a question of voice recognition nearly as much as just extreme sluggishness. I see the Cortana field on Windows commercials and it recursively sorts a zillion possible things and quickly 'gets it'. Not on my PC's.

So....are there people out there that DO use that on a PC? If not, why not?

I am installing the Anniversary update on my most-used laptop as I'm typing this on my most-used desktop. I am hoping for some serious improvement in the voice-enabled Cortana operation.

Brian

 

[zocster]

i have just turned that on

 

[RumoredNow]

Yep. When the wife wants me to remind her about something and I'm sitting in front of my laptop, I say "Hey Cortana, remind me to blah blah blah."

Then we both laugh because she has the same setup I have.

 

[dermbrian]

Well, after running the Anniversary Update on my fairly low-end laptop, Cortana now seems to be working well enough. MUCH better than it was before the upgrade.

I hope that lasts. If it continues to work this well, I'll keep using it. I like to be able to ask the time and temp, set timers, heads or tail....

The upgrade completed without any glitches, as far as I can tell so far.

 

[demon09]

I've been using it more and more, which surprises even me, since I am a die-hard Android user and Google Now was my go to for everything--now on the computer I am using Cortana a lot, and even installed it on my phone to sync text messages and reminders. I am loving it, and it does work across the many, many devices I use in a week.

 

[RumoredNow]

"Hey Cortana, send a text to _______," is pretty awesome. I need to use that more.

 

[RumoredNow]

I am a die-hard Android user and Google Now was my go to for everything--now on the computer I am using Cortana a lot, and even installed it on my phone

Google Now just never engaged me. Love Cortana.

 

[nontheistzero]

I'm an early adopter on every release, but I've never once used Cortana, Google, or Siri. I don't really understand the allure.

 

[dermbrian]

Well, even though the Anniversary Update got Cortana working better, my main two-in-one tablet/PC (Acer Switch 10) still struggles. Maybe the problem is it only had 2gb of memory. I ended up picking up one of these today, so hopefully my Windows 10 experiences will be much better now. Hopefully.

HP Pavilion 15-au023cl Touchscreen Laptop - Intel Core i5

Brian

 

[mtf1380]

I'm an early adopter on every release, but I've never once used Cortana, Google, or Siri. I don't really understand the allure.

One of my most favorite "Hey Cortana" used has been; when my desk is full, I am in the middle of something important, I get a 'you have a text from ????' notification from Cortana, on my desktop - "read it, or ignore it" she asks.

"Read it" I say.

"I am on my way home, but I am stopping by the store first" Cortana says; then she says "reply, or ignore"?

"Reply", I say; "OK" I continue; "send it" I add...Done & Gone! Didn't even have to put my pen down.

I can also do this during a run. Very convenient.

 

[vEEP pEEP]

Nope.
I don't have a mic. And it's easier to type.
Even on my phone, I rarely use Cortana. I never see anyone use Siri, either.

Even if I did have a mic, I can't see myself screaming at Cortana from another room. Or even in the room...

"Hey Cortana, warm up my dinner and fix me a drink"...<crickets>

 

[Scienceguy Labs]

Like RumoredNow, I use Cortana all the time for reminders. I'd be in the infinite doghouse if I didn't. Second most frequent use for her is to open Netflix.

 

[danj210]

Yes, I use the feature all the time for reminders and finding files, been also using it for searching as well. It's so sensitive that my Lumia 950 will pick me up saying "Hey Cortana" to my Surface Pro 4.

 

[vezycash]

...so sensitive that my Lumia 950 will pick me up saying "Hey Cortana" to my Surface Pro 4.

"Hey Cortana!:smile:"

Cortana on Lumia, "You talking to me?"

"No, get me Cortana on Surface Pro"

"Yo, Cortana on Surface Pro. Hey Cortana on Surface Pro 4. You deaf?"

"Whaat?" Yawns, and stretches, "What? Cortana on Lumia 950?"

"You look like a mess. Out drinking last night?"

"Ummm, I..."

"Just save it. Danj210 wants to talk to you."

 

[kaktus1389]

Once I wanted to test this so I had my 2 in 1 on and my main PC on and they both picked it up. Yeah I use it especially if something freezes I can tell her to create another desktop so I can open task manager from there and I also use it for reminders

 

[Ariel Takom]

After Microsoft secretly allow Cortana to be used in non-supported countries (like Malaysia. Not sure if it's because I'm an Insider or not), I was finally able to use Hey Cortana on my laptop (phone was an 830, no 'Hey Cortana' support). Tbh, the use case is quite limited for me, but I do use it sometimes. Like make a quick reminder to download stuff, play my music, or just open the internet (or maybe tell a joke or two).

However, the voice listening is still not that good, probably because it still hasn't learned that much on non-native English accent, so Cortana would hear the word I pronounce incorrectly. Just hope this would improve in the near future, as well as adding more commands like shut down my laptop or lock the screen or what not.

But so far, I'm satisfied with it. Just can't help but feel that it could be better.

 

[Stephen Lau]

I just realised there is such a function.

 

[sinime]

I'm an early adopter on every release, but I've never once used Cortana, Google, or Siri. I don't really understand the allure.

It's great for when in the car or when you want to make a quick reminder.

 

[Seb_Rattansen]

Yep I use Cortana quite a bit. The voice recognition is really good, even with my New Zealand accent I also like how you can just type stuff into the box in terms of how you would say it, and Cortana recognises that too. Very cool feature.

Also she tells good jokes!

 

[demon09]

Also she tells good jokes!

She is quite the singer too, and you can play movie trivia.

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