New Cortana Beta app for Windows 10 apparently goes live for some Insiders

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Published onJuly 16, 2019

published onJuly 16, 2019

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A couple of weeks ago, a hidden Cortana beta app wasdiscovered in the Windows 10 20H1 build 18922, and Microsoft still hasn’t acknowledged its existence. This new UWP app could soon replace the built-on Cortana app on Windows 10, and work like a regular Windows app that will be updated through the Microsoft Store.

Aggiornamenti Lumia noticed today thatCortana Beta,now available on the Microsoft Store, can be downloaded on Fast Ring PC.The Store listing indicates that the app requires the May 2019 Update or later, but we haven’t been able to install it on a Fast Ring PC or another one still on the production ring.

Cortana (Beta) now works for Insiders (fast ring). New working version: v1.1907.5724.0https://t.co/5wobc7sKlA

— Aggiornamenti Lumia (@ALumia_Italia)July 16, 2019

After trying to install it several times, we’ve also noticed that Cortana Beta now appears in Settings > Apps. The app doesn’t show up in the Settings app on PCs running the May 2019 Update, so it looks like Cortana Beta could be preinstalled but somewhat hidden on PCs running the latest 20H1 builds. Hopefully, it will go live for all Fast Ring Insiders in very soon.

The store listing for this Cortana Beta app shows that it’s compatible with Surface Hub devices, and it also includes some screenshots showing the new conversational UI that’s already available on Cortana for iOS and Android.Instead of interacting with it your voice, as you can do today with the Windows 10 version of Cortana, this new beta app will let you type your questions to the digital assistant.

Again, the Windows Insider team has yet to discuss the presence of this new Cortana Beta app in preview 20H1 builds, but it really make sense to transform Cortana into a full-fledged UWP app that can be updated more frequently. This way, Cortana will be able to better compete with Alexa on Windows 10, especially since the19H2 updatecoming later this year will allow Alexa and other digital assistants to be voice-activated right from the Windows 10 lock screen.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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