While Parallels, the trendy virtualization software with the capability to run Windows on OS X desktop has just received an update that assures 50 percent faster shutdowns and 25 percent improved battery life, Cortana seems to be the most interesting recent addition in Windows 10.

IB Times reports that now Cortana will combine with OS X to offer a voice-activated personal assistant constantly. However, Apple has not released Siri for OS X. At present, OS X is the sole Apple operating system without the assistant. Hence, this addition will be welcomed by all who absolutely need to talk to the computer hands-free.

Users can activate Cortana with a mouse click, or just by saying "hey Cortana." In fact, the operating system is listening constantly, even while using a Mac app, and the results show automatically over the dock at the base of the screen.

Cortana is among the prominent features of Windows 10, and has been hailed by reviewers as a welcome addition. However, the manner in which Windows 10 uses data has raised privacy concerns. Tests have revealed that even when users have asked Microsoft not to transmit data without their consent, Windows 10 still requests files related to Cortana whenever a search is carried out in the Start menu. It appears that there is no means to stop this transmission. However, Microsoft says that the data exchanged does not have any information related to the search query.

The virtualization software, Parallels 11 supports OS X El Capitan, the upcoming version of the Mac OS, which is in the beta stages currently. It is expected that El Capitan will be released for free via the Mac App Store in the fall. It comes with a new split view that allows full screen apps like Parallels run alongside.

For new users, Parallels 11 costs $79.99, while users upgrading from Parallels 9 or 10 will require paying $49.99 for Parallels 11. In addition, a special Pro edition, with superior developer tools, is available for $99.99 per year.