Cortana has received a brand new feature that is pretty cool. Microsoft’s virtual assistant can now create reminders even when you haven’t expressly asked it to create them. So, say you receive an e-mail that requires you to go to such-and-such a place at a certain time, Cortana can now automatically remind you to get there on time.
How does it work? Well, the feature was developed by Microsoft’s Research division using a healthy dash of machine learning. The ML capabilities attached with the virtual assistant mean that the it can scan your e-mails, separate tasks that are require to be completed on a fixed time and pop up reminders to make sure that you follow through.
Announcing the feature, Microsoft said:
We’ve all been in the situation where we’ve promised to do something in email, like send your boss a report by end of day, or purchase tickets to the movies for your date night. But the day goes on, emails pile up, and you quickly forget. Now Cortana has your back. Using machine learning technology developed in partnership with Microsoft Research, Cortana automatically recognizes when you make a commitment in email messages and will proactively suggest a reminder to you to follow through at just the right time.
Interestingly, Cortana doesn’t just take up sentences that have a fixed time and date attached to them Oh no sir, It can do much more. Whether it is phrases like “in the evening” or even abbreviations like “EOW” you are taking about, Microsoft’s smart assistant has you covered.
You need to allow Cortana to access and scan you e-mails of course, however, the feature will only kick in once it discovers some sort of promise or commitment in one of your emails. When the due date for the same approaches, Cortana will surface reminders on various places including Home, Microsoft notes etc, and save the alert in the action center.
The feature was being tested by Windows Insiders. However, it is now being released to the general public. Microsoft has been able to further enhance Cortana’s abilities during the testing period and it can not only understand e-mails better, but it is also capable of linking to emails and sending notifications well ahead of your appointment.
The feature is currently available in the U.S. on Windows 10. However, Microsoft has promised to introduce support for iOS and Android platforms in the coming weeks. While only Outlook.com and Office 365 work and school email addresses are supported at present, the company has said that it will soon expand the feature to other e-mail providers as well.
