Following Microsoft’s introduction of its digital assistant, Cortana, for Android devices earlier this month, there has recently been quite a setback: your device will no longer understand you when you say, “Hey Cortana”.

According to WinBeta this stems from problems relating to the microphone and, “incompatibilities with Google’s own ‘OK Google’ feature of Google Now.’ It appeared that when users had installed Cortana on their Google Android phones they couldn’t access Google’s digital assistant. As of December 20^th Microsoft updated the Cortana app, improving app stability; enhancing call and text features and also removing the “Hey Cortana” feature for the US market – “temporarily” at least, according to Microsoft.

So far the removal of Hey Cortana has had a considerable backlash with users complaining that they have to open the app manually. “Without Hey Cortana there’s no reason to use this app over Google Now,” said one reviewer in the Google Play store, echoing the sentiments of many. Having a hands-free personal assistant is a main part of the attraction, so this is something Microsoft will likely fix quickly. On questioning Microsoft about the loss of Hey Cortana the company told VentureBeat that, “We’ve received user feedback that the ‘Hey Cortana’ feature is conflicting with Android voice search and are temporarily disabling the feature while we evaluate a solution.”

It’s strange that this bug was not realized back in August when Microsoft released Cortana for Android in Beta, nonetheless Microsoft’s slow release of the app into select markets such as the US and China was obviously the right thing to do. Just as soon as Microsoft sorts out the hands-free problem in the US it’s likely Android users in other countries will see the feature. If you do want to use the voice command your only choice at the moment is using it on Microsoft’s new flagship Windows 10 Lumia phones, the Lumia 950XL and Lumia 950, or Windows Phone 8.1.

Photo credit: iphonedigital via Flickr