Cortana the famous Assistant from Microsoft annouced to be shut down by Microsoft, for the current iOS and Android applications. The cortana support and orignal Cortana capabilities from the Surface Headphones will be evoked. The reported changes are said to be time taking, perhaps months long but its a hige step by Microsoft.
Microsoft might be looking for a more sophisticated and focused Assistant to pivot away from Google Assistant or Alexa. The functionality of Cortana in Windows 10 was announced and worked through to combat the advancements of Google Assistant and Alexa. Microsoft will be producing more on features perhaps from now onwards.
Microsoft instead of working on Cortana will be more focused on creating a spectrum of features that would remaster it. The new features would be the part of Microsoft 365 Suite and other Outlook and Teams applications. The new revamped version is not yet as featured as the typical Cortana yet it is less direct to competition and makes it easier to survive. The features like smart home controlling and music integration will be not a part of this new assistant.
Harmon Kardon Invoke owners will be the ones most affected with the discontinuation of Cortana, will be provided a consolation offered by Microsoft. A 50$ gift card will be offered to the affected of the removal. However, the owners of the surface headphones will also be provided with a 25$ Gift card as consolation. The affected users will be given a firmware update next year, till then they are given Gift Cards.
