These modifications are still a couple of months away, but it marks another huge step for Microsoft in rotating Cortana far from a Google Assistant or Alexa alternative to a more specific, productivity-focused assistant– changes the company has currently started making on the Windows 10 variation of Cortana previously this year. (To that end, Microsoft also put a September 7th date on the already-announced sunsetting of third-party Cortana abilities for Windows.).
Microsoft will focus on its performance functions.
Microsoft is also using an alleviation offer of a $50 present card for Harman Kardon Invoke owners, wholl be most impacted by the elimination of Cortana– which successfully will turn the formerly wise device into a pricey Bluetooth speaker when the firmware update arrives next year. Owners of the original Surface Headphones (who will also see their Cortana experience got rid of) are likewise being provided a $25 present card to offset the missing service.
Rather, Microsoft will be focusing on its productivity functions that repurpose Cortana as a part of the Microsoft 365 suite of software, pointing out the revamped Windows 10 functions and incorporated Cortana features in the Outlook and Teams apps as replacements. Its not as full-featured as the original Cortana– which used additional functions like clever home controls and music integration– however by providing a less broad set of functions, Microsoft is wishing to create a product that much better complements its existing software and contends less directly with established gamers like Google and Amazon.
Microsoft is reassessing its Cortana assistant, announcing that it will shut down the present iOS and Android apps, end Cortana support for the Harman Kardon Invoke clever speaker, and eliminate the initial Cortana performance from the first-generation Surface area Headphones beginning in 2021.
