Cortana is a free digital assistant app from Microsoft that works much like Apple's Siri or Google Now. It was first launched alongside Windows 10 when that OS was released, but this mobile app for the Android platform is quite a bit more portable and therefore more efficient than its stationary counterpart.

The main appeal of Cortana is that it can be controlled with your voice. You can issue commands and queries with nothing more than your voice. Of course, you can also use the digital keyboard in your device to type questions if you are in a situation where speaking aloud isn't an option. Cortana has access to your current location via the GPS in the phone, and the app can see your other installed apps as well as your web browsing preferences. With all this as a resource pool, the assistant app works to fulfill your commands and queries.

Cortana uses Bing by default when you ask her general questions since that search engine is also owned by Microsoft. A better use of her skills is to have her take care of your tedious tasks, like editing contacts and typing out reminders. She can even make suggestions based on your surroundings.