While Apple and Google play well together in some areas - such as the multi-billion deal that makes Google the default search on iOS - they are on less friendly terms in others. Apple and Google, and a few others, are locked in a pitched battle to dominate automation through smart assistants such as Siri, Alexa and Google's platform. But an update to the iOS version of Google's Asistant proves that where there's a will, there's a way to bring enemies together.

If you're using a Windows 10 machine, you might want to consider disabling Cortana — at least on the Lock Screen — if you aren't planning to install the latest Windows updates for whatever reason. (And, generally, do you really need a smart assistant helping you out when your PC is locked?)

Microsoft has added a Google Calendar and Gmail connector so you can use the voice-assistant to check you calendar, set reminders and pull up a contact. With Microsoft's assistant accessible through some of the new connected speakers coming on the market, it's a sign that the folks in Redmond don't want to be left behind as Apple, Amazon and Google push ahead with their own digital concierges.

Your Google Pixel 2 has a pretty capable built-in butler in the form of Google Assistant. Not everyone with an Android phone, however, is all-in on Google's ecosystem. In fact, some users might be - wait for it - Microsoft users. And that means Cortana is their go-to virtual assistant. Thanks to Microsoft, you can ditch Google's voice assistant and swap it out with one that's more up your alley.

Windows 10: You can now download the next major update to Windows 10, dubbed the Fall Creator's Update. You'll be able to enjoy major features like Mixed Reality support, bringing augmented reality to compatible PCs, as well as minor upgrades to features like handwriting recognition, voice control via Cortana and a revised user interface.

Windows: Cortana can do a lot of cool stuff in Windows 10, but she tends to prefer Microsoft's own apps and services. EdgeDeflector can force Cortana to use Chrome, Firefox or any other browser you prefer.

Microsoft has rolled out a new update for Cortana on Android that allows users to customise the accent colour in the app. Surprisingly, this feature is not yet available for Cortana on Windows 10.

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update drops today and one of the coolest features deserves a little special attention. Now, you can mirror your Android notifications from your phone to your computer, and even control it with a few voice commands. You just need the Cortana app.

Voice assistants are all the rage, but while Siri, Google Now, and Cortana are all super neat, when it comes to using them people seem mixed. So, we want to know, how to use your phone voice assistant?

I'm a huge fan of digital personal assistants and I have no qualms speaking to my phone in public to set calendar reminders using Google Voice Commands. Apparently not that many people are as shameless as I am, according to a recent study on consumer interactions with voice assistants on mobile devices.

Microsoft is determined to ram its search engine Bing and its internet browser Edge down our throats by forcing Cortana on Windows 10 to use them exclusively whenever a user does a web search. Read on to find out more.

Everybody lost their minds when Microsoft dropped the bombshell that it was bringing Linux Bash to Windows 10 for the upcoming Anniversary update. Windows Insiders will have fun with this feature ahead of everybody else through the new Windows 10 Preview Build 14316 which also adds a ton of nifty Cortana improvements. Here are the details.

Microsoft's Build conference is always full of news about Windows, Office, Xbox and other Microsoft products, and Build 2016 was no exception. We got a look at the newest Windows 10 update coming this winter, new features for the Xbox One and updates the Windows Store. Here's the best new stuff we saw.

Cortana says "Ask me anything," so why not ask her "what song is this?" if you're listening to music you don't know the name of.

Microsoft has given Cortana, it's digital personal assistant on Windows 10, some new features so that it can help users keep track of personal and work events. Those on the Windows Insider program will be the first to experience the new-and-improved Cortana. Here's what's new.

Microsoft has open sourced its own artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning tools. The Computational Network Toolkit (CNTK), used by Microsoft's own researchers, is now available on GitHub, and is aimed at fuelling the speed of AI technology advancement. Here are the details.

Users of the open source mobile operating system Cyanogen can now do more with Microsoft's Cortana. The digital personal assistant app was officially released for Android, iOS and Cyanogen late last year.

Last week, Microsoft released an official Australian version of Cortana on Windows 10. In addition to having a genuine accent, the Australian version of Cortana will give Aussie-centric response to a range of questions and commands. Does it do a decent job? Read our Q&A session and decide for yourself...

Windows 10 gets its first major update today, with a number of features you've asked for -- like coloured title bars, fixes to the Start menu, and (finally!) a better way to activate your Windows 10 licence.