Microsoft has announced that it will be retiring its Cortana virtual assistant on Windows in late 2023. The company says that it is making the decision to focus on other AI initiatives, such as the recently announced Windows Copilot.
Cortana was first introduced in 2014 as a competitor to Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. However, the assistant never really caught on with users, and Microsoft has been slowly phasing it out of its products over the past few years.
In a blog post announcing the retirement, Microsoft said that Cortana will still be available in some Microsoft apps, such as Outlook and Teams. However, the standalone Cortana app will no longer be supported.
“We are making some changes to Windows that will impact users of the Cortana app,” Microsoft said in the blog post. “Starting in late 2023, we will no longer support Cortana in Windows as a standalone app.”
Microsoft says that users who have the Cortana app installed on their Windows devices will still be able to use it until late 2023. However, after that point, the app will no longer receive any updates or security patches.
The retirement of Cortana is the latest sign that Microsoft is shifting its focus away from voice-activated assistants. The company has been investing heavily in other AI initiatives, such as the recently announced Windows Copilot.
Windows Copilot is a new AI feature that allows users to type and control their Windows devices using natural language. The feature is powered by Microsoft’s ChatGPT technology, and it is designed to make it easier for users to get things done on their Windows devices.
The retirement of Cortana is a significant move for Microsoft, and it will be interesting to see how the company’s other AI initiatives fare in the future.
Here is some more information about Cortana:
- Cortana was originally named “Project Natal” and was developed by Microsoft Research.
- Cortana was first released in 2014 for Windows Phone 8.1 and was later added to Windows 10, Xbox One, and Android devices.
- Cortana is powered by artificial intelligence and can learn from your habits and preferences to become more helpful over time.
- Cortana can do a variety of tasks, including setting reminders, answering questions, making appointments, and controlling smart home devices.
- Cortana is available in over 20 languages and is used by millions of people around the world.
Here are some of the features that Cortana:
- The ability to control smart home devices with your voice
- The ability to translate languages in real time
- The ability to help you find and book flights and hotels
- The ability to help you manage your finances
- The ability to help you stay organized with your work and personal life