Microsoft says it now uses ‘secure facilities’ to review some Skype audio
Microsoft says that Skype audio is now graded in “secure facilities” across the globe.
Cortana
Cortana to be discontinued as iOS and Android app
Microsoft is discontinuing Cortana’s availability as an independent iOS and Android app, as it is integrating Cortana functionality into Office 365.
A United Nations report says Siri and other female smart assistants reinforce gender bias
A United Nations report indirectly accuses smart assistant providers like Apple, Google and Microsoft of reinforcing gender bias by using female assistant voices by default.
Cortana 3.0 brings refreshed UI, music & podcast integration, more
Microsoft today released Cortana 3.0 for iOS with an update to the user interface enabling conversational experiences like with Google Assistant. It also brought other enhancements, including voice support for reminders, calendars and timers.
Alexa and Cortana have teamed up to create a more intelligent voice experience
Amazon and Microsoft are working together to make their voice assistants, Alexa and Cortana, even better. A new collaboration between the two begins now.
Siri comes out ahead of Alexa in new digital assistants survey
A newly released survey looks at the intelligence of the four major voice assistants on the market, including Apple’s Siri. The results were surprising.
Microsoft Cortana is now available on iPad
In addition to launching 20% faster, Cortana for iOS now includes a tailor-made layout and interface that takes full advantage of the iPad form factor and display resolution.
Review: can the Invoke smart speaker with Cortana rival the HomePod?
With the HomePod set to to be released in stores in just a few days time, I thought it would be a great opportunity to take a look at a competing option, the Invoke by Harman Kardon. Be sure to check out the hands-on video to get a sense of what Cortana’s voice is like. Then, read on for our full review and opinion.
Cortana for iOS gains refined look, enhanced reminders, faster navigation & other perks
The app offers faster animations and navigation, a revamped settings interface, a better way to create reminders and more.
Microsoft and Harman Kardon unveil Invoke smart speaker with Cortana, coming this fall
Taking aim at Google Home, Amazon Echo and Apple’s rumored Siri/AirPlay device, Microsoft and Harman Kardon today unveiled a new smart speaker with Cortana and more.
Cortana 2.0 for iPhone brings overhauled interface and faster performance
Microsoft today rolled out a major update to its Cortana personal assistant app for iPhone, with enhancements like faster page transitions, improved app responsiveness and overhauled user interface all part of the update. The new version arrived three months after its release on Android. Design improvements in Cortana 2.0, a free download from App Store, include a fresh new look with an improved user experience, immersive full-page answers and overhauled calling, texting and reminders.
New Microsoft ads for Windows 10 focus on things Macs can’t do
Microsoft this weekend published four new commercials for its Windows 10 operating system that showcase things “Macs can’t do”. The ads feature Kristie and Jess, AKA The Bug Chicks, the two women who are apparently trying to change the way kids think about bugs.
The two characters, one of whom is a Mac fan jealous of Windows 10 features, explore competitive advantages of Microsoft’s operating system like the built-in Cortana personal assistant, support for inking and drawing on notebooks with built-in touchscreens, the ability to log in to Windows 10 with one’s face and more.
As each Windows 10 feature is highlighted, the other woman responds with a variation of the “I don’t have a touchscreen on my Mac, I’m jealous of that” theme.
