Microsoft removes smart home functions from Cortana and focuses on productivity

Microsoft is going to make a number of changes to the smart assistant Cortana. It is more focused on productivity. Microsoft is removing features such as playing music and controlling smart home devices.

The changes to the smart assistant can be seen in particular in the Windows 10 version, the company writes in a blog post. Cortana also disappears from the Microsoft Launcher for Android. The new version will be rolled out automatically in the next major Windows 10 update. Microsoft wants to use the assistant mainly for productivity, by focusing more on things like calendars, to-do lists and reminders. Users can ‘chat’ with the assistant after the update. For example, they can type that they want to perform a certain task on a list, or ask when an appointment is. The new features also need to be better integrated into Microsoft 365 services, but it’s not clear exactly how.

In addition to the new features, features will also be removed from Cortana. Among other things, the possibility to play music and to control smart home devices will disappear. The third party skills also disappear. Microsoft also makes it mandatory to log in with an account before using Cortana. The changes will come ‘in the spring’. The chat function will initially be available to US users first and later to international users, but it is not known how long that will take. As of the end of April, Cortana will disappear from the Microsoft Launcher for Android.