Microsoft will shut down the Cortana iOS and Android apps in 2021 – Engadget

Microsofts strategy for Invoke speakers is most likely to trigger the most bitterness. The business will press a firmware upgrade to the smart gadget to turn it into a Bluetooth speaker. “The firmware update will be provided immediately to devices linked to WiFi within six months of its release,” the company stated..
As an olive branch to Invoke owners, Microsoft prepares to send them $50 present cards. To be eligible, youll need to have actually used your Invoke speaker to ask something of Cortana in between July 31st and before todays announcement..
As mentioned above, Microsoft likewise prepares to eliminate the existing model of Cortana from its first-generation Surface Headphones in early 2021. As soon as the change goes through, youll still have the ability to use the digital assistant, however just through the integration that includes Outlook Mobile. First-generation Surface Headphones owners can get a $25 present card.
” Weve spent a great deal of time analyzing this shift and understand that these changes might be disruptive to some of our consumers,” the business said..
As The Verge points, the changes mark another action in Cortana reinvention as a productivity-focused digital assistant. Cortana isnt disappearing, but Microsoft is tweaking the software application to better compliment apps like Outlook and Teams. In doing so, the business likely intends to sculpt out a niche for the digital assistant far from the similarity Assistant and Alexa. Obviously, all of that is little consolation if you bought into the companys initial vision for Cortana..