When Windows 10 is released to the public later this week, Windows users will have desktop access to Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant designed to compete with Apple's Siri. It appears Mac OS X users may also be able to access Cortana on OS X, using an updated version of the Parallels Windows virtualization software. For those unfamiliar with Parallels, it's software that's designed to let you run Windows and Windows apps on your Mac.
According to a now-deleted leaked site that details upcoming features in Parallels 11, the software is gaining a new Windows 10 feature that will let Cortana be accessed on OS X while Windows 10 is running in the background.
As explained by Neowin, who shared the leaked site over the weekend, that means Cortana can be accessed with the 'Hey Cortana' command while using other applications on the Mac. It is not clear if all of Cortana's functionality is available when run this way, but in Windows 10, Cortana has a wide range of useful features.![For For](https://akket.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Parallels-Desktop-10-Windows-10-Microsoft-Mac-OS-X-5.jpg)
The virtual assistant can search the web, find installed files and apps, monitor calendar appointments, access the weather, and more. Like with Siri, Cortana can be asked fact-finding questions like 'What are the latest NBA scores' or 'What's going on near me this weekend?'
Announced last year, Cortana is a digital assistant named for an AI character in the popular Halo video game series and voiced by Jen Taylor, who also did the AI voice work. Cortana, which has a distinctly female personality, is powered by the Bing search engine and differs from Siri based on the ability to ask questions about users and monitor their activity to learn more about them.
Cortana has a 'notebook' that stores information on each user's interests, favorite places, preferred music, relationships with people, appointment dates, preferred quiet hours, and more. When Cortana debuted, Microsoft described this feature as 'her view of you,' designed to let Cortana perform functions a wide range of personalized functions.
While Windows 10 is set to be released this week on July 29, there is no word on when Parallels 11 with full support for Windows 10 and the new Cortana feature will launch. Parallels 10, the current version of Parallels, has been updated with experimental support for Windows 10 preview builds, but it is not currently compatible with the release version of Windows 10 or Microsoft's Windows 10 upgrade program.
In addition to being available on Mac OS X through Parallels 11, Cortana is also coming to the iPhone. Microsoft plans to launch a Cortana app for iOS later this year.
- Download Windows 10 For Parallels
- Parallels 10 For Mac Download
- Parallels For Mac Windows Not Connecting To Internet
- Windows 10 Pro Upgrade
Parallels is one of the most popular virtualization options for Mac users wishing to run Windows, and the latest version, Parallels 13, makes it ridiculously easy to get up and running. Parallels desktop 10 Activation Key for Mac is the best and latest version provided by Parallels. Parallel desktop 10 operators to simply run windows on Mac and windows programs with an Apple PC. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition is the easiest and most powerful solution to run Windows on Mac for developers, power users, and other demanding pros. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition. Also make sure that you are running the latest update of Parallels Desktop for Mac. NOTE: Windows 10 free upgrade policy. How to run Windows on Mac using Parallels Desktop 13 Of course, you'll need Parallels Desktop and Windows 10 in order to download and install them. Parallels Desktop costs $79.99 for a standard license.
According to a now-deleted leaked site that details upcoming features in Parallels 11, the software is gaining a new Windows 10 feature that will let Cortana be accessed on OS X while Windows 10 is running in the background.
As explained by Neowin, who shared the leaked site over the weekend, that means Cortana can be accessed with the 'Hey Cortana' command while using other applications on the Mac. It is not clear if all of Cortana's functionality is available when run this way, but in Windows 10, Cortana has a wide range of useful features.
![For For](https://akket.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Parallels-Desktop-10-Windows-10-Microsoft-Mac-OS-X-5.jpg)
The virtual assistant can search the web, find installed files and apps, monitor calendar appointments, access the weather, and more. Like with Siri, Cortana can be asked fact-finding questions like 'What are the latest NBA scores' or 'What's going on near me this weekend?'
Announced last year, Cortana is a digital assistant named for an AI character in the popular Halo video game series and voiced by Jen Taylor, who also did the AI voice work. Cortana, which has a distinctly female personality, is powered by the Bing search engine and differs from Siri based on the ability to ask questions about users and monitor their activity to learn more about them.
Cortana has a 'notebook' that stores information on each user's interests, favorite places, preferred music, relationships with people, appointment dates, preferred quiet hours, and more. When Cortana debuted, Microsoft described this feature as 'her view of you,' designed to let Cortana perform functions a wide range of personalized functions.
While Windows 10 is set to be released this week on July 29, there is no word on when Parallels 11 with full support for Windows 10 and the new Cortana feature will launch. Parallels 10, the current version of Parallels, has been updated with experimental support for Windows 10 preview builds, but it is not currently compatible with the release version of Windows 10 or Microsoft's Windows 10 upgrade program.
In addition to being available on Mac OS X through Parallels 11, Cortana is also coming to the iPhone. Microsoft plans to launch a Cortana app for iOS later this year.
Tags: Windows 10, Cortana, Parallels 11
Parallels announced this evening that its virtual machine software Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac has been updated with “experimental” support for the technical preview of Windows 10 from Microsoft. Users who want to take the latest version of Windows for a test run without overwriting their existing Boot Camp installation or creating a new partition can now do so safely and free within the confines of a VM.
The update also adds the ability to run the new preview version of Office for Windows 10, which includes updated versions of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Microsoft announced earlier this year that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for one year for any users running Windows 7 or later.
Parallels Desktop 10 is available from the Parallels website for $79.99. Special pricing is available for students and users running previous versions of Parallels and a free trial is available here. Press release follows:
Parallels® Announces That Parallels Desktop® 10 for Mac Now Provides Experimental Support for Windows 10 Technical Preview and Office Preview for Windows 10New update to industry-leading software for running Windows on Mac gives developers and power users the ability to try out the latest Windows operating system quickly and safely
Renton, WA, USA – February 11, 2015 – Parallels announced today that Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac (parallels.com/desktop) provides experimental support for Windows® 10 Technical Preview and Office Preview for Windows 10 which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Now users who wish to try the newest OS from Microsoft® safely and easily can do so without the inconvenience of deleting an existing OS or the uncertainty of installing a new and nonfinal version of Windows 10 directly on their machines. The Parallels Wizard makes it simple to download the Windows 10 Technical Preview directly from within Parallels Desktop, creating a virtual machine to try out everything Windows 10 has to offer, including such features as the new Start menu, Photos, Maps app, Cortana and Windows Store beta which offers Office Preview for Windows 10.
“Parallels Desktop enjoys very strong support among software developers and IT pros. We are happy to deliver all the tools they need to quickly and safely test or run the latest OS and applications, now including the Windows 10 Technical Preview,” said Parallels president Jack Zubarev.
Early adopters who want to try out Microsoft’s latest OS and offer feedback have the option to do so in Parallels Desktop without having to erase their existing OS. Mac® users can download a free two-week trial of Parallels Desktop and use the Parallels Wizard to install and try the free Windows 10 Technical Preview today.
Parallels focuses on giving its customers choice. With Parallels Desktop, users have the freedom to choose whichever operating systems best fit their needs—including OS X®
Yosemite, OS X Mavericks, OS X Mountain Lion, Windows 8, Windows 7, ChromeTM OS, Android and a number of Linux operating systems—all on one computer.
The latest release of Parallels Desktop for Mac (10.1.4, build 28883) is required for this experience with the Windows 10 Technical Preview (build 9926).
Availability and Pricing
Download Windows 10 For Parallels
Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac is available at parallels.com/desktop. The standard retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 10 is $79.99, and the Student Edition is available for $39.99. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 8 or 9 customers are $49.99. Parallels Desktop 10 customers receive a complimentary three-month subscription to the Parallels AccessTM app (parallels.com/access) for up to five Macs and PCs and an unlimited number of iOS and Android mobile devices.
Parallels 10 For Mac Download
Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition is available via parallels.com/business.
About Parallels
Parallels For Mac Windows Not Connecting To Internet
Parallels is a global leader in hosting and cloud services enablement and cross-platform solutions. Parallels began operations in 2000 and is a fast-growing company with more than 900 employees in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Visit parallels.com for more information.
Windows 10 Pro Upgrade
Stay connected with Parallels and our online communities: Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/parallelsdesktop, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/parallelsmac, and visit our blog at blogs.parallels.com/consumertech.