Microsoft is introducing a brand new look for their Cortana personal assistant, which is available on both Android and iOS. Previously, the Android and iOS versions of the app were not even close to the superior looks of Cortana on Windows 10. But with this new update, Cortana on Android looks cleaner and prettier. It features a purple accent, and Microsoft has said that users will be able to customize this color pretty soon. In addition to this update, Microsoft is also making Cortana available in the UK (previously, this app was only available to US users).And that’s not where it ends for Cortana on Android buffs. Microsoft has said that it’s working on a new feature that will allow users to access this app from the lock screen. This change will be available in an upcoming update. However, the company is currently testing this with a beta program, so an extensive release should be available in the next few weeks.After you install this update and launch the Cortana app, you’ll be asked to activate ‘Cortana on lock screen’. You should tap on ‘Add Cortana to my lock screen’ button to enable this useful feature on your device. That done, you should get a pretty simplistic Cortana logo showing somewhere proximate to the bottom part of your device’s lock screen. All you need to do is swipe this logo horizontally (can be left or right) to launch the app’s panel. It’s just like how a camera shortcut tends to work on most Android handsets.Once you have accessed the Cortana panel, you’re able to get updates and do anything that you want. One thing that stands out about this update is that it works with any existing android lock screen, be it stock or custom. Furthermore, you don’t even need to unlock your device in order to use Cortana. That might be a privacy issue for now, given that anyone could access your data even when your device is locked. If you are apprehensive about this, consider disabling the lock screen at this moment in time. Microsoft will likely add some safeguard that allows you to conceal sensitive information in the near future. When that happens, we’ll sure bring you up to speed.Meanwhile, you might want to subscribe for Cortana’s beta right here, or get the Android application here.
What's my model number?
There are several ways to locate your model number:
- Option 1
- On your device, go to Settings, then "About device" and scroll down to "Model number"
- Option 2
- Often times you can view the model number inside the device, by removing the battery
- Option 3
- Using Samsung's model/serial number location tool