Cortana

Microsoft announced it is integrating its voice assistant Cortana with Skype to offer users in the US information including restaurant options and movie reviews, and time saving smart replies, with all details based on users’ chats.

Samsung is readying a connected speaker, powered by its fledgling Bixby digital assistant, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

When Google unveiled its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Google Assistant in October 2016, CEO Sundar Pichai commented the world is moving from being “mobile first” to “AI first”. The prediction already appears to be coming true.

Microsoft is set to do battle with Amazon’s Echo and Google Home, as it took the wraps off a new Cortana-powered smart speaker developed in conjunction with Samsung subsidiary Harman Kardon.

Microsoft held its annual Build developer event, where it outlined its efforts to change the way users interact with technology, although there was little in the way of updates regarding its mobile activities.

A beta version of Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant is now available for Android, as a companion for Windows 10 PC users, competing against the Android-native Google Now.

Windows 10 users will be able to download a companion app for Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana to iOS and Android devices, the company said, where it will be competing against the native Siri and Google Now.