New updates for Office and Cortana on Android devices
Microsoft keeps improving its Android apps and today it’s the turn of Cortana and Office to get some pretty exciting updates, including new features and bug fixes.First and foremost, let’s see what’s new in the personal assistant. The Android version of Cortana has been updated to 1.9.12 and it comes with a birthday reminder, which let’s be honest, comes in extremely handy. This feature works similar to Facebook and notifies whenever you have to wish someone “Happy Birthday,” and it’s all automated.
Cortana automatically retrieves birthday information from your Outlook Calendar and displays notifications early in the morning, so it’s nearly impossible to miss a reminder.
Additionally, this version also comes with support for multiple calendars, but also with improved meeting retrieval experience and location system. Microsoft says it also fixed several crash bugs, so Cortana should work a bit smoother after the update.
The Office update
If you’re an Office for Android user, this update brings plenty of goodies on your device. The update was previously tested by Microsoft as part of the Office Insider program and brings version to 16.0.7531.1002.
According to the official Microsoft changelog, it includes accessibility settings built right into Office apps, including support for TalkBack, your keyboard, and other assistive technologies, as well as support for Box and Egnyte. And last but not least, you also get sharing notifications for Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, so you’ll receive a notification whenever someone shares a document with you.
All these updates are part of Microsoft’s increased focus on Android, as the company says that improving non-Windows apps is a critical part of its strategy because it wants everyone to access its services, no matter the device.And truth be told, Android and iOS apps are actually receiving updates even more frequently than their Windows siblings, so if you’re using a non-Windows mobile device, you’re pretty lucky.
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