A beta version of Microsoft's Cortana virtual assistant is coming to Android this July

Microsoft has already announced its plans to bring its Cortana virtual assistant to Android, and now we’re getting a few more details as to when we can expect the new app. The company has just revealed that beginning in July, a beta version of Cortana will be available for download on Android devices.

As the company previously stated, the Cortana for Android app won’t be as fully featured as the app baked in to Windows Phone devices. Instead, the app will serve as a way for your Windows 10 PC and other Microsoft devices to sync easily with your Android smartphone or tablet to accomplish tasks that many other services can’t. Microsoft explains:

On your Android phone you can ask Cortana to remind you to walk the dog at 8pm in the evening, and then when you’re watching a movie your Xbox will interrupt playback to let you know it’s time to take the dog out.

Just recently, Google announced that Now on Tap would be released with Android M, which offers users an easier way to get information more quickly. Additionally, the folks over at SoundHound released its Hound Beta app for Android, toting impressive voice recognition technology that might prove useful to users. It will certainly be interesting to see exactly how Cortana for Android fares against the competition, and if cross platform integration will be enough for it to prove itself worthy in the Android and iOS space.

The company hasn’t given us an exact release date, but it looks like we won’t have to wait much longer to try out the virtual assistant.