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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

VentureBeat reports on one of the user suggestions [venturebeat.com] that have been made for HoloLens [soylentnews.org] (an augmented reality headset) app development:

One of the more interesting parts of the Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality initiative is the way Microsoft is listening to the public to direct some of its early-stage app development for the platform, through the Share Your Idea website launched earlier this month.

One of the top three ideas on the site, based on votes, is called Cortana in Person. Cortana, of course, is Microsoft's personal digital assistant that plays a starring role in Windows 10. She's a Siri competitor that, as gamers will know, was derived from the Cortana artificial intelligence character in the Halo series of games.

"Hologram of Cortana from Halo who you can talk to and interact with," forum user LookItsKris wrote in his description of the idea for Cortana in Person. "Works in the same way as Cortana on desktop/phone. Get answers to questions etc. Maybe ask a question on HoloLens and answers come through on phone? Possibilities are endless."

"Dude, that would be so awesome. A real-life Cortana," commenter H4rmonicAn4rchy wrote. "Who wouldn't want that?!"

Because Microsoft will actually build the top three ideas from the site, there is a chance that Microsoft will bring the idea to life for HoloLens, whose $3,000 development kits will be shipping in the first quarter of 2016.

The Cortana digital assisstant has been launched for iOS and Android devices [theverge.com], although some features will be limited [waltonian.com] compared to the Windows versions.

Previously: Microsoft Giving $500,000 to Academia to Develop HoloLens Apps [soylentnews.org]
Microsoft Announces Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, and HoloLens Dev Edition [soylentnews.org]

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