Microsoft is reportedly prepping voice command software called Cortana to compete with Apple’s Siri and Android’s Google Now. According to ZDNet , Cortana “will be able to learn and adapt, relying on machine-learning technology and the "Satori" knowledge repository powering Bing.”

Loading

ZDNet’s sources report that Cortana (presumably named after Halo’s AI companion ) will be “core” to future versions of Windows Phone, Windows and Xbox One. Back in July, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer referenced “ a family of devices powered by a service-enabled shell ,” which now appears to be in reference to Cortana’s capabilities. According to ZDNet, that shell “won't simply surface information stored on users' phones, PCs and consoles like a search engine can do today.” In Ballmer’s words , it “will support the experiences layer and broker information among our services to bring them together on our devices in ways that will enable richer and deeper app experiences.”Windows Phone currently includes basic voice commands, and Microsoft has already trumped up the voice capabilities of Kinect for its upcoming Xbox One. For now, Cortana has yet to be officially announced or confirmed, but we’ve reached out to Microsoft for more information and will update this story with any comment we receive.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following @garfep on Twitter or garfep on IGN.