With the launch of Cortana on Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft
introduced a new option which let the Digital Assistant read
out messages aloud in hands free mode. Now since the Redmond
Giant has stopped development of its windows mobile platform,
the company is testing the same feature for its Digital
Assistant Cortana on Android platform.
The ability to read text messages aloud in hands free mode was
the most preferred Windows feature and now the company plans to
introduce the same feature to the Android users who have
installed the company’s Digital Assistant.
Microsoft is currently internally testing this feature by
adding some new capabilities for Cortana on Android. The
feature is currently enabled for Cortana beta testers by
default. Users would need to however connect their device to a
Bluetooth, any third party accessory or car to take advantage
of the feature.
This feature is specially helpful for users when driving and
can read the text messages aloud via their Bluetooth or car
speakers without having to touch the phones. Microsoft is
expected to enable the text feature by default for Android
users but is planning to provide options to disable the feature
for privacy driven users.
The company has already pushed out the feature to Android beta
testers but also warns users to not install the latest update
if they have privacy concerns regards to incoming SMS’s.
Microsoft explains: “This beta feature currently will
automatically read all incoming SMS aloud. DO NOT install this
update if you have privacy concerns. All your SMS’s will be
read aloud without asking for confirmation to read them,”.
We are currently not sure as to when the company plans to push
this feature to all Android users but it should not take too
long for Microsoft since it is already testing the feature with
Beta Android users.
We will be keeping you posted as soon as the Redmond Giant
plans to release the feature to all Cortana users on Android.
