Microsoft has announced that its digital assistant, Cortana, will make its way to Internet of Things (IoT) devices with a new Core update planned to be released some time after Windows 10 Creators Update. It's only logical for Cortana to become available on embedded devices now since all of Microsoft's own hardware is already running it, no matter what form factor — from mobile phones to Surface Hubs. This announcement is coming from the recently ended WinHEC 2016 conference for Microsoft hardware partners.
Users of IoT devices will be able to use Cortana not just for typical day-to-day tasks, but also to turn the devices on with the "Wake on Voice from Modern Standby" feature. Microsoft is also working on improving the distance from which Cortana can listen even with ambient noise present. With the introduction of “Far-field Voice”, you will be able to use it at a distance of up to 4 meters/13 feet.
Allowing Cortana to run on IoT devices could possibly lead to creation of new hardware types in different form-factors. Internet of things devices are smart devices capable of automating and personalizing things for you. You can impress your friends with a smart fridge for example. Hopefully, integrating Cortana with OEM software that is loaded on these devices will do just that.
Cortana on Windows 10 IoT will only be launching for US and UK markets, with more broad availability to follow in the next month. The first Cortana-enabled IoT devices are expected to start arriving in 2017 or early 2018 so the company may introduce even more improvements to the assistant before the launch.
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