Microsoft has announced to discontinue Cortana, on several platforms like Android, iOS, and Harman Kardon Invoke speakers, along with first-generation Surface headphones.
A support document released by Microsoft has mentioned all the details. It is also ending the supports for all third-party Cortana skills, starting from September 7.
Instead, the tech giant is set to focus its energies on the productivity features that could integrate Cortana as a part of the Microsoft 365 suite of the software, add these features to Windows 10 functions, Outlook, and Teams app as replacements.
Android and iOS to no longer support Cortana from early 2021
Both Android and iOS will be no longer be supporting Cortana apps from early 2021. Hence, the users are advised to manage their calendar, email, and join meetings with their advanced Cortana Windows 10, Cortana integration in Outlook mobile as well as Cortana voice assistance in the Teams app.
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Microsoft has already withdrawn access to Cortana for iOS apps from several regions, last year.
Microsoft to withdraw support for Cortana in Harman Kardon speakers
Also, Microsoft is set to kill support for Cortana in Harman Kardon Invoke speakers in January 2021. As a replacement to the same, Microsoft has created a Bluetooth-enabled device transition plan to ease the impact of the change on the users. Once the Invoke is updated, the firmware will be updated and Cortana will no longer be accessible on the device.
On Saturday, the tech giant announced that it is offering a $50 Microsoft gift card for each Harman Kardon Invoke speaker user, who will send a voice request to the digital assistant.
Cortana is also set to be removed from the first generation of the Surface headphones. But it can be noted that users of any version of the Surface Headphones and Surface Earbuds can access Cortana through Outlook’s mobile app’s feature called, Play My Emails.
Microsoft set to focus predominantly on the productivity of the digital assistant
Early this year, Microsoft also announced that it has planned to focus on the productivity of the digital assistant, resulting in Cortana losing many consumer-facing features, like the ability to play music, and control smart home devices.