Microsoft apps will now be pre-loaded on more Android tablets. Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft today announced that 20 new companies will now be pre-loading its apps and services on Android devices sold by them.

Cortana in action on Android. Screenshot: Cult of Android

The battle between virtual assistants is about to hot up again as Microsoft Cortana prepares to go cross-platform to take on Siri and Google Now. The intelligent virtual assistant will be arriving on Android and iOS later this year, but you can get a sneak peek in the video below.

OneDrive’s watch face on Android Wear. Screenshots: Microsoft

Microsoft’s latest OneDrive beta brings a brand new watch face for Android Wear that makes your own photos the background masterpiece. The update also provides the OneDrive app for smartphones and tablets with a built-in PDF viewer.

Android and iOS apps on Windows phones? Yup. Photo: Microsoft

More than four years after its debut, Windows Phone still has a native app problem. Microsoft has now accepted that’s not going to change anytime soon, so in an effort to attract new users to its platform, it’s going to allow them to run Android and iOS apps… sort of.

Nokia isn’t done making smartphones. Photo: Nokia

Nokia has confirmed that it will be reentering the smartphone market in 2016 with new devices powered by Android. The handsets will likely be manufactured in Sichuan, China, where Nokia will also relocate its research and development center.