How Microsoft’s Cortana Stacks Up Against Siri and Alexa in Terms of Intelligence?
It seems like everyone these days has a voice assistant. Whether you’re using Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, or Microsoft’s Cortana, these handy little programs are always there to help you with the weather forecast, setting timers, and playing your favorite tunes. But how do they stack up against each other in terms of intelligence? Let’s take a closer look.
Apple’s Siri was the first voice assistant on the scene, debuting on the iPhone 4S in 2011. Siri is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that allow it to understand and respond to questions and commands in human speech. Siri can perform a variety of tasks, from setting alarms to sending text messages, and is constantly learning new skills as Apple adds updates. However, Siri does have its limitations; for example, it cannot currently perform tasks that require more than one step (such as adding an item to a grocery list and then setting a reminder for when to buy it).
Amazon’s Alexa followed close on Siri’s heels, debuting on the Amazon Echo in 2014. Like Siri, Alexa is powered by AI and NLP algorithms that enable her to understand and respond to questions and commands. Alexa also boasts an ever-growing skill set, thanks to constant updates from Amazon. One area where Alexa excels is in her ability to handle multi-step tasks; for example, she can easily add an item to a grocery list, set a reminder for when to buy it, and even place an order for it online—all with just a few simple commands.
Microsoft’s Cortana debuted in 2014 as well, but unlike Siri and Alexa, she was not originally designed as a digital assistant for home use. Instead, Cortana was developed as a productivity tool for Microsoft Windows users. However, Cortana did eventually make her way into the home via the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker in 2017. Cortana is powered by the same AI and NLP algorithms as her competitors; however, she has one key advantage over them—her deep integration with Microsoft products such as Office 365 and Outlook. This gives her access to a wealth of information that allows her to be more helpful than other voice assistants when it comes to things like scheduling appointments and managing email.

Cortana: Pros – Cortana is able to understand natural language patterns and contextual cues well, making her one of the more accurate voice assistants available. Additionally, Cortana has a wide range of integrations with other Microsoft products, making her a good choice for users who are already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Cortana Cons – One of Cortana’s primary drawbacks is that she is only available on Windows devices. This limits her appeal to users who don’t own a Windows phone or PC. Additionally, Cortana doesn’t have as many skills as some of her competitors; while she can do basic tasks like setting timers and sending texts, she doesn’t have the same breadth of knowledge as Siri or Alexa.
Siri: Pros – Siri is available on all Apple devices, giving her a wider reach than some of her competitors. Additionally, Siri has a large number of skills; she can do everything from ordering an Uber to sending a message through WhatsApp. And thanks to Siri’s integration with Apple products like the iPhone and Apple Watch, she is able to offer a seamless user experience.
Siri Cons – While Siri is generally accurate when it comes to understanding voice commands, she isn’t always perfect. Additionally, Siri doesn’t always provide the most accurate results when users ask her questions; often, she will provide a web search result instead of an answer directly from Apple’s Knowledge Graph.
Alexa: Pros – Alexa has more skills than any other AI assistant currently on the market; there are over 100000 skills available for users to choose from. Additionally, Alexa is constantly learning and adding new skills; since she is powered by artificial intelligence, her capabilities are constantly expanding. Finally, Alexa is available on a wide range of devices beyond just Amazon Echo speakers; she can be found in everything from cars to microwaves.
Alexa Cons – One potential drawback of Alexa is that she is always listening; this could be seen as a privacy concern by some users. Additionally, because Alexa is powered by artificial intelligence, she sometimes makes mistakes when understanding voice commands or providing results to questions.
Apple’s Siri was the first voice assistant on the scene, debuting on the iPhone 4S in 2011. Siri is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that allow it to understand and respond to questions and commands in human speech. Siri can perform a variety of tasks, from setting alarms to sending text messages, and is constantly learning new skills as Apple adds updates. However, Siri does have its limitations; for example, it cannot currently perform tasks that require more than one step (such as adding an item to a grocery list and then setting a reminder for when to buy it).
Amazon’s Alexa followed close on Siri’s heels, debuting on the Amazon Echo in 2014. Like Siri, Alexa is powered by AI and NLP algorithms that enable her to understand and respond to questions and commands. Alexa also boasts an ever-growing skill set, thanks to constant updates from Amazon. One area where Alexa excels is in her ability to handle multi-step tasks; for example, she can easily add an item to a grocery list, set a reminder for when to buy it, and even place an order for it online—all with just a few simple commands.
Microsoft’s Cortana debuted in 2014 as well, but unlike Siri and Alexa, she was not originally designed as a digital assistant for home use. Instead, Cortana was developed as a productivity tool for Microsoft Windows users. However, Cortana did eventually make her way into the home via the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker in 2017. Cortana is powered by the same AI and NLP algorithms as her competitors; however, she has one key advantage over them—her deep integration with Microsoft products such as Office 365 and Outlook. This gives her access to a wealth of information that allows her to be more helpful than other voice assistants when it comes to things like scheduling appointments and managing email.
When it comes to raw intelligence, there’s no doubt that Cortana has the edge. While Siri and Alexa are both capable of answering basic questions, Cortana is able to draw on the wealth of knowledge contained within Microsoft’s Bing search engine to provide more comprehensive answers. For example, try asking Siri or Alexa who won the Super Bowl in 2002. Both will likely give you the correct answer of “The New England Patriots.” But ask Cortana the same question, and she’ll not only tell you that the Patriots won, but she’ll also provide a link to the Bing search results for “2002 Super Bowl.”
Cortana is also able to understand follow-up questions and provide relevant information accordingly. For instance, if you ask Cortana how tall Mount Everest is and then follow up with a question about how that compares to the height of Mount Kilimanjaro, she’ll understand that you’re looking for a comparison of the two mountains and provide an answer accordingly. Neither Siri nor Alexa is able to do this.
Finally, Cortana is better at understanding natural language than either Siri or Alexa. This means that she can more easily understand questions that are phrased in a way that sounds like normal human speech. For example, try asking Siri or Alexa to “show me pictures of cats wearing party hats.” Both will likely have trouble understanding this request since it doesn’t use standard grammar. But ask Cortana the same question, and she’ll know exactly what you want and pull up a Bing search results page full of images matching your request.
Conclusion:
So there you have it! All three AI assistants have their pros and cons; it really just comes down to personal preference as to which one you choose. If you’re looking for an assistant that is widely available and has a large number of skills, Siri or Alexa might be the right choice for you. However, if you’re looking for an assistant with deep integrations into Microsoft products, Cortana might be a better option. No matter which assistant you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the convenience and efficiency they provide!
Which voice assistant is the most intelligent? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for someone who can handle complex tasks such as online shopping or managing your calendar, then Alexa is probably your best bet. If you’re looking for someone who can help you be more productive at work or school, then Cortana is probably your best choice. And if you’re just looking for someone who can answer basic questions and perform simple tasks, then Siri will probably suffice. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference—so try them all out and see which one you like best!
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- Any way to have Alexa notify me when outside temperature is lower than inside temperature?by /u/ThisIsMyNext (Amazon Alexa) on October 2, 2023 at 4:08 am
When it's hot during the day but cools down into the evening, I'd like to be notified when the measured outside temperature is lower than the measured inside temperature so that I'll know exactly when to open my windows to start cooling down the house. Is there any hardware (and routines) that can accomplish this? I've read about routines that can trigger based on reaching specific temperatures, but I'm not trying to make this dependent on a specific temperature, I'm trying to make this dependent on outside temperature being lower than inside temperature. submitted by /u/ThisIsMyNext [link] [comments]
- Any way to have Alexa notify me when outside temperature is lower than inside temperature?by /u/ThisIsMyNext (Amazon Alexa) on October 2, 2023 at 4:08 am
When it's hot during the day but cools down into the evening, I'd like to be notified when the measured outside temperature is lower than the measured inside temperature so that I'll know exactly when to open my windows to start cooling down the house. Is there any hardware (and routines) that can accomplish this? I've read about routines that can trigger based on reaching specific temperatures, but I'm not trying to make this dependent on a specific temperature, I'm trying to make this dependent on outside temperature being lower than inside temperature. submitted by /u/ThisIsMyNext [link] [comments]
- Camera's not working through Alexa appby /u/sbmongoos (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 9:19 pm
I went to view the camera at my Ring doorbell and it will not stream video from the camera. It looks like it's trying but never loads. The same thing happens for the Echo Show 5. The setup on both devices is fine. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the Alexa App. No go. I can view the Ring door bell camera just fine through the Ring app and also my TV via the Fire Cube TV. Seems the issue is with the Alexa app. Permissions seems fine. I'm stuck! Amazon support is of no help. submitted by /u/sbmongoos [link] [comments]
- Camera's not working through Alexa appby /u/sbmongoos (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 9:19 pm
I went to view the camera at my Ring doorbell and it will not stream video from the camera. It looks like it's trying but never loads. The same thing happens for the Echo Show 5. The setup on both devices is fine. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the Alexa App. No go. I can view the Ring door bell camera just fine through the Ring app and also my TV via the Fire Cube TV. Seems the issue is with the Alexa app. Permissions seems fine. I'm stuck! Amazon support is of no help. submitted by /u/sbmongoos [link] [comments]
- Alexa Randomly Respond with "Set to What Height" for ST Routine?by /u/cryptogram (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 7:23 pm
I have crossposted this in /r/lutron but wanted to see if this sounds familiar to anyone. I have had a routine in my SmartThings for Opening and Closing my Serena Shades. It just integrates with my Lutron bridge and has historically worked without issue. I've had this automation/routine setup or probably 4-5 years now. Starting in the last two weeks I'll tell Alexa to "Turn on Open Shades" to kick off the routine.. and instead of doing it.. it responds "Set to What Height?" I have no idea wtf is going on. For the first week it'd just do it when opening the shades but now it asks when I tell it to close the shades too. Once in a while it won't ask and will just do it. This is completely new behavior. I can't find anyone else talking about this either, so I am a bit dumbfounded. Press the routine in ST directly works w/o fail. It just seems to be some new weird thing Alexa is doing/adding in the middle. Curious if anyone else with Serena Shades (or any other device type) is experiencing similar issues? Googling "set to what height" + "alexa" does not yield any results though.. so i am guessing I am in the extreme minority here. Anyway.. thanks in advance for any possible feedback. submitted by /u/cryptogram [link] [comments]
- Alexa Randomly Respond with "Set to What Height" for ST Routine?by /u/cryptogram (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 7:23 pm
I have crossposted this in /r/lutron but wanted to see if this sounds familiar to anyone. I have had a routine in my SmartThings for Opening and Closing my Serena Shades. It just integrates with my Lutron bridge and has historically worked without issue. I've had this automation/routine setup or probably 4-5 years now. Starting in the last two weeks I'll tell Alexa to "Turn on Open Shades" to kick off the routine.. and instead of doing it.. it responds "Set to What Height?" I have no idea wtf is going on. For the first week it'd just do it when opening the shades but now it asks when I tell it to close the shades too. Once in a while it won't ask and will just do it. This is completely new behavior. I can't find anyone else talking about this either, so I am a bit dumbfounded. Press the routine in ST directly works w/o fail. It just seems to be some new weird thing Alexa is doing/adding in the middle. Curious if anyone else with Serena Shades (or any other device type) is experiencing similar issues? Googling "set to what height" + "alexa" does not yield any results though.. so i am guessing I am in the extreme minority here. Anyway.. thanks in advance for any possible feedback. submitted by /u/cryptogram [link] [comments]
- Calendar Notificationby /u/IowaGal60 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 5:20 pm
When I was working, I set up notifications on calendar to announce at 6:00 am. Now that I am retired, I want to reschedule for 8:00 am. I have checked Echo Show settings and am not finding that setting. Can anyone help, please? Thanks. submitted by /u/IowaGal60 [link] [comments]
- Calendar Notificationby /u/IowaGal60 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 5:20 pm
When I was working, I set up notifications on calendar to announce at 6:00 am. Now that I am retired, I want to reschedule for 8:00 am. I have checked Echo Show settings and am not finding that setting. Can anyone help, please? Thanks. submitted by /u/IowaGal60 [link] [comments]
- Alexa Icon on PC Desktopby /u/ZestycloseCattle4979 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 5:06 pm
I’m stymied !!! I can't find anywhere that either explains where, what the program is called, and how to get a shortcut on my Windows PC for Alexa. The program runs great but can only be called from the task bar - I would like it on my desktop. TIA - PaulT submitted by /u/ZestycloseCattle4979 [link] [comments]
- Alexa Icon on PC Desktopby /u/ZestycloseCattle4979 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 5:06 pm
I’m stymied !!! I can't find anywhere that either explains where, what the program is called, and how to get a shortcut on my Windows PC for Alexa. The program runs great but can only be called from the task bar - I would like it on my desktop. TIA - PaulT submitted by /u/ZestycloseCattle4979 [link] [comments]
- Alexa Connection Helpby /u/TapTop5943 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Hey so I recently moved into a new university accommodation and usually when i’m in these buildings i can connect alexa via the MAC address but this wi-fi doesn’t work like that’s it similar to if you were joining a public wifi and are asked for email and password. So i can’t connect alexa to the wifi and am currently just using it via bluetooth, does anyone know if there’s a work around I’ve been trying to connect for the last month. I’m hoping there’s maybe a away i haven’t seen yet it know the correct name in order to google it that would solve it, i also have the router thing in my apartment so if anyone’s familiar with a device that I could connect to the router itself and then connect to alexa that may help I would appreciate it!! submitted by /u/TapTop5943 [link] [comments]
- Alexa Connection Helpby /u/TapTop5943 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Hey so I recently moved into a new university accommodation and usually when i’m in these buildings i can connect alexa via the MAC address but this wi-fi doesn’t work like that’s it similar to if you were joining a public wifi and are asked for email and password. So i can’t connect alexa to the wifi and am currently just using it via bluetooth, does anyone know if there’s a work around I’ve been trying to connect for the last month. I’m hoping there’s maybe a away i haven’t seen yet it know the correct name in order to google it that would solve it, i also have the router thing in my apartment so if anyone’s familiar with a device that I could connect to the router itself and then connect to alexa that may help I would appreciate it!! submitted by /u/TapTop5943 [link] [comments]
- Amazon Thermostats not following schedules after wifi updateby /u/truthB3spoken (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 3:34 pm
I had this issue before as well. Amazon thermostats won't follow schedules after a wifi update. I forgot how I fixed that. But I'm in the same problem again. Both my thermostats won't follow any schedules. 1. I can manually change the temperature anytime and the thermostats respond immediately. 2. No issues with wiring as I've been using them for past 2 years. 3. Took off the thermostats from wall plates, rejoined them to the wifi network, deleted data and cache from Alexa app and relogged in. But nothing worked. Is there anything I missed? Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/truthB3spoken [link] [comments]
- Amazon Thermostats not following schedules after wifi updateby /u/truthB3spoken (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 3:34 pm
I had this issue before as well. Amazon thermostats won't follow schedules after a wifi update. I forgot how I fixed that. But I'm in the same problem again. Both my thermostats won't follow any schedules. 1. I can manually change the temperature anytime and the thermostats respond immediately. 2. No issues with wiring as I've been using them for past 2 years. 3. Took off the thermostats from wall plates, rejoined them to the wifi network, deleted data and cache from Alexa app and relogged in. But nothing worked. Is there anything I missed? Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/truthB3spoken [link] [comments]
- Routine to start car?by /u/lp1527 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 2:37 pm
I know I can start my Chevy via the skill by saying "Alexa, ask Chevrolet to start my car" but it's there a way to set a routine to trigger that so I only need to say "Alexa start my car"? submitted by /u/lp1527 [link] [comments]
- Routine to start car?by /u/lp1527 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 2:37 pm
I know I can start my Chevy via the skill by saying "Alexa, ask Chevrolet to start my car" but it's there a way to set a routine to trigger that so I only need to say "Alexa start my car"? submitted by /u/lp1527 [link] [comments]
- Daylight Savings and Alarmsby /u/Fleggy82 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 8:52 am
So daylight savings started here in Melbourne Australia overnight. We pushed clocks forward one hour. I have a regular alarm set for 8:30pm each night. On one of my Alexa’s, the alarm started going off at 7:30pm - an hour early. No matter how many times we gave the voice command to stop, it would go off again after 30 seconds or so. Turning off the alarm in the app works but once turned back on, it starts again. I have rebooted the device but no change - still goes off non-stop submitted by /u/Fleggy82 [link] [comments]
- Daylight Savings and Alarmsby /u/Fleggy82 (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 8:52 am
So daylight savings started here in Melbourne Australia overnight. We pushed clocks forward one hour. I have a regular alarm set for 8:30pm each night. On one of my Alexa’s, the alarm started going off at 7:30pm - an hour early. No matter how many times we gave the voice command to stop, it would go off again after 30 seconds or so. Turning off the alarm in the app works but once turned back on, it starts again. I have rebooted the device but no change - still goes off non-stop submitted by /u/Fleggy82 [link] [comments]
- Alexa doesn't hear me from Bluetooth headsetby /u/algiogia (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 5:46 am
I have a Bluetooth headset (Sena) in my motorcycle helmet. For some reason Alexa doesn't seem to hear me anymore through the microphone of the headset. It only works if I speak loud enough to reach the phone's microphone. Do I have to enable anything in the Alexa app for it to work from an external mic? submitted by /u/algiogia [link] [comments]
- Alexa doesn't hear me from Bluetooth headsetby /u/algiogia (Amazon Alexa) on October 1, 2023 at 5:46 am
I have a Bluetooth headset (Sena) in my motorcycle helmet. For some reason Alexa doesn't seem to hear me anymore through the microphone of the headset. It only works if I speak loud enough to reach the phone's microphone. Do I have to enable anything in the Alexa app for it to work from an external mic? submitted by /u/algiogia [link] [comments]