Thermostat with Cortana assistant coming in March for $319

Microsoft, in partnership with JCI, has released a smart thermostat that runs its personal assistant Cortana. The device called GLAS runs on the Windows 10 IoT Core operating system and will be released in March.

The GLAS control panel is integrated in a transparent touch-sensitive OLED panel. Thanks to the presence of Cortana, the temperature can also be set with voice control. In addition, the assistant can request information about the weather, traffic or other topics and manage calendars.

The GLAS monitors the air quality when it is connected to the internet and can automatically adjust settings accordingly. The thermostat registers when the user is at home to adjust his program accordingly. The device can be managed remotely via a web application and via apps on iOS and Android. A Windows 10 app is on the way. The price of the thermostat is $319. Converted and with VAT, that comes down to 319 euros. The device will appear in March, but it is not known whether this is also the case in the Benelux.

The Irish manufacturer Johnson Controls invented the first electric room thermostat in 1885, but has since grown into a multinational in the field of building management, refrigeration and automotive. It’s not the first device, outside of PCs, with Cortana. There is also already a speaker from Harman Kardon with the assistant from Microsoft.