Microsoft Corp. announced the integration of its digital assistant Cortana into Skype at its Build conference last year, but despite overhauling Skype earlier this year, the integration has become available only this week.

With the integration, Cortana will be able to assist Skype users with restaurant and movie reviews, provide quick smart replies and help with reminders and scheduling of appointments.

The integration of an artificial intelligence assistant into a messaging app isn’t a unique feature for Skype but definitely keeps it competitive. Both Facebook Messenger with the integration of “M” and Allo with the integration of Google Assistant have offered the feature for some time now.

The integration of Cortana is currently only available with the new Skype on Mobile in the U.S.

How to use Cortana in Skype

Make sure you have the latest version of Skype for Mobile installed on your device.

Cortana will be added as a Skype contact automatically. You can find the digital assistant in your address book or on the chat screen.

To enable Cortana, tap Cortana in the chat screen > Cortana will request permission to use your location and IM conversations in Skype > tap Agree.

Currently, Cortana only works in chat and won’t work in your voice or video calls.

Note: In order to enable Cortana, you will need to have updated your Skype account to a Microsoft account. If you haven’t done this, you will be taken through the process before you enable Cortana.

Features of Cortana in Skype

With the integration of Cortana into Skype Mobile, you can either talk directly to the digital assistant or get assistance during your chats with family and friends.

Chat directly with Cortana

You can have a one-on-one conversation with Cortana and get answers to questions, like weather updates, flight status, stock quotes, restaurants in your area or who the actor is in a specific movie.

Smart replies

During your Skype chats with friends and family, Cortana will intelligently provide smart replies based on the response you have received from the other person in your chat.

These smart replies will appear above where you are typing your message. You can scroll through the responses and select the appropriate one. If Cortana’s smart replies aren’t helpful, tap the thumbs down icon to send feedback and dismiss the replies.

In-context assistance

During your Skype chats when you mention details relating to, for example, a movie or restaurant, Cortana will provide you links to movie reviews or restaurant options so making a decision is easier without the need to leave the Skype app.

Complete actions

Cortana will also be able to detect when you are talking about completing an upcoming task and will automatically recommend setting up a reminder for you. Without leaving Skype, you can set the reminder and be alerted at the appropriate time on all your devices that have Cortana enabled.

Disable Cortana suggestions

If you no longer want to receive Cortana suggestions in your Skype chats, tap your Profile picture > Settings > Cortana > toggle Cortana off. If you want to later re-enable Cortana, you will once again need to grant the digital assistant the necessary permissions.

Image: Microsoft