Microsoft has not given up with Cortana. The recent update of Cortana for Android has added the ability to make Cortana as default personal digital assistant. It means you can long-press home button to activate Cortana and ask her to perform different actions.
Microsoft has pushed the version 2.8 on Google Play. If you have been using Cortana, the update is now and see how it works on your phone.
Once you make Cortana default personal digital assistant on your Android phone, it replaces the long-press home shortcut with Cortana. It will activate Cortana and you can use it in a similar way.
Setting Cortana as default PDA is easy and Cortana will guide you. You only need to log in and it will show you the option to set Cortana as the default assistant in your feed. You can also enable the lock screen support.
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Unfortunately, it will not allow you to launch Cortana by voice. Microsoft has also improved the performance of Cortana in this update. It also improved the calendar consistency across PC and phone.
In case you have been using Cortana on your Android phone, you will love this update. It will give you easier access to Cortana on your phone.