Jordan O'BrienGoogle Home and Amazon’s Echo better watch out as Microsoft is planning to launch its Cortana-equipped competitor in 2017. Despite having been rumoured for launch at its Surface event earlier this year, Microsoft has revealed that its partnering with Harman Kardon to launch a voice activated, high-quality speaker powered by Cortana.
While Google and Amazon both chose to go it alone when it came to designing their smart speakers, Microsoft’s partnership with Harman Kardon can only be seen as a stroke of genius. Both Google and Amazon have been criticised for speakers that have all the smarts that one would expect from a smart speaker, although a sound quality that leaves something to be desired – Harman Kardon should be able to bring its sound prowess to this speaker however.
Little is known about the speaker just yet, although a short teaser video released by Microsoft does showcase what it may look like come launch. While the body will look similar to that of the Amazon Echo, it seems that the top will sport a glass display which can be used to showcase Cortana’s pulsing.
While Harman Kardon’s voice activated speaker is set to arrive in 2016, it’s not going to be the only Cortana-equipped device users will see. Microsoft is already describing Harman Kardon as ‘one early device partner’, meaning it’s likely there’ll be more in the coming months. The company has already stated that through the Windows 10 Creators Update, developers will be able to integrate Cortana into a whole range of devices – including refrigerators, toasters, thermostats and other Internet of Things devices.
Harman Kardon will supposedly have more news to share about its new smart speaker next year.
Microsoft unfortunately failed to launch its Cortana-equipped Amazon Echo competitor at its hardware event in New York City, opting to focus on the latest Windows 10 update and new Surface devices.
Despite the failure to launch a standalone device, Microsoft did put some emphasis on its Cortana voice assistant at the event – showcasing how those using the Surface Studio desktop could communicate with Cortana from anywhere in the room thanks to a high quality mic. Cortana even works when the screen is off and is always listening for the ‘Hey Cortana’ command.
While it’s not quite the Amazon Echo competitor that many want to see from the Windows-maker, it’s likely that the device is still being planned. Microsoft is planning another event next week, although that’s set to focus on the Office side of things – rather than any particular hardware. That means an Amazon Echo competitor could launch from Microsoft in Spring 2017 instead – still some way off, and giving Apple the opportunity to beat it to the mark.
Microsoft could be planning to launch a ‘smart connected’ device to take on Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Home – and it might arrive at today’s hardware-centric event that the company is planning to hold in New York City. That’s according to a report from Windows Central, which claims that sources in the know say the device is related to a Windows 10 feature dubbed ‘HomeHub’.
The voice activation space is already getting pretty crowded with both Amazon Echo and Google Home offering a unique take on voice control. Apple is also reportedly getting involved. A device from Microsoft wouldn’t be too much of a surprise however, as the company’s Cortana voice assistant has regularly been praised for its smarts versus similar offerings from both Apple and Google.
Cortana is already available on Windows 10 PCs, and can be waked using the ‘Hey Cortana’ voice command, so it’s not impossible to set-up a Windows computer to act as an Amazon Echo or Google Home alternative at the moment. Cortana is capable of many of the same features as its other voice assistants as well, such as answering questions, telling jokes, setting reminders and even controlling smart home devices.
Microsoft has been pretty bullish with its Cortana voice assistant and is set to allow developer to program custom ‘actions’ in 2017. Using Cortana users will be able to say things such as ‘switch on the living room lights’ or ‘turn off my Xbox’ and have the assistant understand.
As part of its smart home push, Microsoft has ensured that both the Cortana voice assistant and its Windows 10 operating system support as many smart home devices as possible. To do this Microsoft promises that both will work with the Open Connectivity Foundation’s (OCF) protocols, which are scheduled to be released in 2017.
The Open Connectivity Foundation’s protocols is already supported by a bunch of manufacturers, including Intel, Samsung, Dell and Qualcomm, as well as Microsoft – meaning Windows 10 and Cortana will be able to control devices such as Samsung TVs straight out of the box.
Support for the Open Connectivity Foundation’s protocols won’t be the first time Cortana has been able to control the smart home however. Users with Insteon devices are able to link their Cortana voice assistant with their Insteon hub for some pretty robust smart home control already.
While the smart home will be central to the rumoured ‘smart connected’ device, there will be much more at play to help differentiate Microsoft’s product from its competitors. In fact, reports suggest that Microsoft’s offering will be able to store files directly on the device, such as music, video and documents, and stream them to any other device in the house. This means not only will Microsoft offer a smart voice assistant and a speaker, but it will also offer a media server as well – it might just be the dream device custom installers have been waiting for.
It is not going to be easy for Microsoft to succeed however. Amazon is already out well ahead, with its Echo speaker and Alexa voice assistant having been in the hands of users for over a year. Microsoft will also have to contend with Google, which has put its voice assistant at the heart of everything it does. At least there’s one company who has yet to show its hand – with Apple’s rumoured Amazon Echo competitor having entered testing recently, but still supposedly not available for prime time.
Microsoft’s New York City hardware event takes place at 2PM today – CE Pro Europe will be sure to update this story if the device is confirmed.