In the not so distant future, we might find ourselves talking to Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant as Redmond is now making her available for third-party developers and OEMs. Internet of Things devices capable of running Windows 10 IoT Core will be able to carry Cortana and in turn, will share the spotlight in the Creators Update of the OS next year.
Tech Crunch said that the Software Development Kit (SDK) of Cortana's new Skills Kit and Devices "run approximately parallel" with that of Amazon's Alexa. The Skills kit, it added, enables developers to build compatible app experiences "that can be called up and controlled" when users tap into the voice command protocol of Cortana. Devices on the other hand permits third party developers to create Cortana-friendly devices "whether or not they have a display". This is in contrast with what Microsoft revealed at MSPoweruser.
PC World meanwhile addressed the benefits of Cortana as a core pillar in robots and Smart Home appliances such as thermostats, toasters, refrigerators and the like. This too is part and parcel of Microsoft's decision not to dwell in hardware except for the highly acclaimed Surface. The company is also poised to include "far-field speech communication" that will make Cortana decipher and recognize voice commands from 13 feet away. There is also the "wake-on-voice" capacity where users can activate a device simply by saying "Hey Cortana". Simply put, the device knows that it's time to go to work.
The new Skills Kit is now up for some of Microsoft's chosen partners such as Capital One, Knowmail, Expedia and TalkLocal. The Devices SDK meanwhile is in "private preview mode", and should debut sometime next year. Microsoft was also seen to be working with partners such as "connected cars" and Harman Kardon to come up with an audio hardware similar to Amazon Echo.
