Cortana now controls music playback in Windows 10

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Updated onAugust 30, 2018

updated onAugust 30, 2018

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Microsoft’s virtual assistant,Cortana, is already compatible with many built-in and third-party apps forWindows 10. Even thoughCortanaboasts a respectable number of possibilities, there’s always more that can be added.

The latestWindows 10Preview build introduces a lot of new features forCortana. But it looks like the biggest focus has been put onCortana‘s integration withmusicapps and the wayCortanacontrols playback inWindows 10.

For example,Cortananow features full natural language compatibility with iHeartRadio andTuneIn Radio. This means you can control playback in these apps withCortanausing your voice. More precisely, you can give Cortana instructions which song or radio station to play via which app.

Here are some examples:

“Play <Artist/Track/Title/Genre> on Play Drake on iHeartRadioPlay Christmasmusicon iHeartRadioPlay NPR Hourly News on TuneInPlay jazzmusicon TuneIn

Play <Frequency/Call Letters> on Play 90.3 on iHeartRadioPlay KUOW on TuneIn”

There are also some additional options for even more advanced playback control.Cortanawill remember the last usedmusicapp and will use it to play a song/radio station automatically next time. So, if you’ve last used iHeartRadio to play jazzmusic, all you’ll need to say next time is “HeyCortana, play some smooth jazz” and it will open the iHeartRadio app.

And finally,Cortananow gives you the ability to control themusicvolume, both in-app or with Windows’ general volume. Just say “HeyCortana, decrease/increase the volume” and she will automatically change it.

All these awesomemusicplayback features are for now available only toWindows 10Insiders running at leastbuild 14986. Everyone else will get these additions with the Creators Update, scheduled for Spring 2017.

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Cortana now controls music playback in Windows 10