Today Microsoft released a short sneak peek of its plans of taking on Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Home assistants. Harman Kardon is set to partner with the tech company to help develop the speaker device that will have full Cortana integration.
Microsoft had this to say about the upcoming device on their blog:
We believe that everyone deserves a personal assistant. One to help you cope as you battle to stay on top of everything, from work to your home life. Calendars, communications and commitments. An assistant that is available everywhere you need it, working in concert with the experts you rely on to get things done.
We’re at the beginning of a technological revolution in artificial intelligence. The personal digital assistant is the interface where all the powers of that intelligence can become an extension of each one of us. Delivering on this promise will take a community that is equally invested in the outcome and able to share in the benefits.
Also on their blog, they announced the ‘Cortana Skills Kit.’ This API is designed to help developers integrate their app functionality into the upcoming device.
The Cortana Devices SDK will allow OEMs and ODMs to create a new generation of smart, personal devices – on no screen or the big screen, in homes and on wheels.
There’s no official release window for the Cortana based product, but more word on the device is expected to be released in the upcoming months.
