Windows Insider Preview of Android Cortana Leaks Out

If you distribute it to some people, you're probably going to end up distributing it to a lot of people. At least, that appears to be the case with an early version of Microsoft's Cortana digital assistant for Android devices. Microsoft gave a beta version of the app to Windows Insiders in a special offer just a few days ago. Go figure—the app has since leaked out to a bit wider of an audience than Microsoft perhaps intended.

"In the spirit of the Windows Insider Program, we are looking for a limited number of people to get their hands on an early version of the app. It's important to keep in mind that is the first public release of the Cortana for Android beta. And that for now, Cortana for Android is only available in the U.S. and China. Over the coming months, we'll continue to deliver frequent updates to the app to expand the features and functionality," read a blog post from Microsoft this past Tuesday.

Microsoft's initial plan was to first release the beta of Cortana on Android to a limited amount of users and then expand the program to additional testers over the next few weeks. If you're impatient, you can just go ahead and grab the Cortana .apk file yourself and load it on to your Android device.

Microsoft hasn't commented on the leak, only reiterating that it's currently beta testing the app in the U.S. and China, and that a public beta will arrive at some point over the next few weeks.

As for Cortana itself, the Android iteration of the app is pretty similar to what you'd find on the native Windows Phone version of Cortana. Since the digital assistant is designed to respond to your commands and perform activities on your behalf, you have to give it a not-so-insignificant number of permissions when you install the app onto your Android device.

Even then, you won't be able to just yell "Hey Cortana" at your Android phone to get the digital assistant to respond (like you would otherwise be able to do on a Windows Phone). You'll have to load the app like a standard Android app and interact with it either by viewing its preselected "cards" of information or by tapping a microphone icon and asking Cortana a direct query.