Cortana for iOS and Android could boost Microsoft

Given the tiny share of the mobile market that Windows Phones have (about 3% to 4% according to analyst reports), Microsoft is taking a hardware-neutral stance when it comes to promoting its own cloud services. The latest news is that Microsoft’s Cortana virtual assistant will land on iOS and Android devices, competing with Apple’s Siri and the range of Android assistants on their own platforms. This could give a boost in uptake of Microsoft’s other cloud services and encourage further bring your own device (BYOD) adoption among businesses.

With Microsoft aiming to aggressively grow its cloud services (OneDrive, Office 365, SharePoint, Skype and so on), Cortana could become a useful link in getting iOS and Android users to try these apps on their devices. While they come provided on all Windows Phones, Microsoft is still struggling to get them on other mobiles, even if workers mostly use Microsoft productivity tools in their office environment. The current heavy advertising around Cortana and all the hype it will receive during the launch of Windows 10 could make it one of the most wanted apps as users see the benefits, with Microsoft hoping to enjoy the halo effect of Cortana’s cool features.

Cortana has quite a few advantages over Siri. Firstly, she is always on, whereas Apple users have to press the Home button to activate Siri, or have their iPhone plugged in. Cortana can also scan your emails and understand things like package deliveries, to remind you of events or incoming mail. That might be harder to integrate into the iOS version, but will be a neat trick, if she can pull it off. Cortana is also better at learning, she’ll remember who your favourite sports team is, or who your close friends are, and give you updated news in those areas. Another advantage is you can type to Cortana, which is handy if you’re in the quiet coach on a train or in a meeting. Siri will presumably get these features at some point, but for now, Cortana looks the better bet.

When the new mobile versions of Cortana launch, you can bet links to Microsoft’s other cloud and mobile apps won’t be far behind as Microsoft tries to make sure it stays relevant for mobile workers in the cloud computing era.

Cortana for iOS and Android could boost Microsoft

Mobile World Congress increases BYOD options

This year’s Mobile World Congress is on in Barcelona this week. It sees the likes of Microsoft and its Windows Phone, plus the many Android device makers, announcing new or improved mid-range devices that pack in many features of what were formerly high-end, expensive models. More memory, better processors and bigger screens make these more usable and attractive as a working device. Also, the recent range of business software launches for mobiles means that more people are tempted to try them out for bring your own device (BYOD) schemes.

As a business, having your workers able to use documents that are stored in the cloud, business contacts, and address emails wherever they are can be a big benefit. It saves investing in laptops or tablets, gets issues resolved faster and with data stored in the cloud and protected by password or fingerprint ID, there is less risk of them losing their phone and having valuable data go missing.

While Windows Phones are all prepped for business, users can use all Microsoft’s apps and storage features with the current Windows Phone 8.1. Sony, LG, Motorola and ZTE, among others, have a huge range of Android devices and they all support Google’s Lollipop Android 5.0. Lollipop in turn runs Samsung’s Knox, a business security feature to protect data stored on user’s own phones. Apple has its own security features for business, and Microsoft’s popular apps are now available for both iOS and Android.

This means that it is now safer for workers to use business data on their own phones, and the apps make checking documents and performing light revisions almost as painless as on a desktop (especially with a larger-screen device). For larger businesses, solutions like Hypori’s ACE platform, which was built with support from the American Department of Defense, help protect business data by separating the physical mobile device (no matter the brand and OS) from any sensitive applications and data.

These latest moves means there is less reason for businesses to be averse to the idea of BYOD, and should see the increasingly mobile workforce come of age for knowledge workers, sales forces and marketers who have been eager to try it out.

Mobile World Congress increases BYOD options