We have seen many reports in the past suggesting that Microsoft is planning to separate Cortana and search in Windows. Now, in Windows 10 preview Build 18922 that Microsoft has pushed to insiders in Fast Ring yesterday, a new Cortana Beta app has appeared that finally sets Cortana free from the Search bar.
Screenshots were posted by Twitter account Albacore that gives us the first glimpse of Cortana Beta app and also shows how search bar has again become just the “search bar” and lives separately as SearchApp. Cortana stands separate from the search and is very similar to the mobile experience of Cortana.
Build 18922 finally separates Search and Cortana. Search is now living in its own place called the SearchApp.
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) June 19, 2019
Here's the new Cortana app in action. Very reminiscent of current mobile experiences. pic.twitter.com/2wX7oLXVuX
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) June 19, 2019
Here are more screenshots of new Cortana settings posted by the Twitter account.
Here are a few screenshots of Settings pic.twitter.com/ArUfoq6xdZ
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) June 19, 2019
It has also been revealed that this new Cortana Beta app is, in fact, a UWP app that looks like a mix of Win32 and WinRT apps.
It's worth noting that it isn't entirely Win32. However, it isn't entirely WinRT/"UWP" either.
— Albacore (@thebookisclosed) June 19, 2019
