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Cortana powered by Microsoft officially reached its end on March 31, 2021. The app has been shut down for both Android and iOS. This is one of the most recent steps taken by Microsoft among a series of attempts to end support for the said app across different devices. Yes, the list also includes Surface Headphones by Microsoft. The Cortana app for Android and iOS has been removed from Google’s Play Store and App Store.
However, Microsoft’s alternative voice assistant for Siri and Google Assistant will continue to remain in function on Windows 10. According to a Microsoft support note identified by MacRumours, “As we announced in July, we will soon be ending support for the Cortana app on Android and iOS, as Cortana continues its evolution as a productivity assistant.”
It further added that Cortana content will not be available in the mobile app as of March 31, 2021. All the lists and reminders could still be accessed in Windows through Cortana. Cortana tasks, lists, and reminders have been made available in the Microsoft To Do app.
Cortana was provided to iOS and Android users in 2015. The application was initially made to connect mobile phones and Windows 10 PCs. However, it failed to attract attention despite attempts at redesigning it. A couple of years ago, Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, accepted that company was facing difficulties in competing with other digital assistants. He went on to add that in comparison with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, Cortana could no longer be seen as a competitor.
Image Source: Google
The world was introduced with an amazing concept of a virtual digital assistant in your cell phone when Apple Inc. introduced the Siri app in its App Store. Siri was originally introduced as a standalone app developed by Siri Inc. The company was then acquired by Apple in 2010 with something big in mind. As for Cortana, it will only run on Windows 10, Teams, and Outlook. Many people took it to Twitter to point out how forgettable Cortana had been. Netizens took to Twitter and #RIP Cortana came to be used on Twitter as the program reaches an end.
Microsoft once aimed at a future where Cortana could be used to power thermostats, toasters, and fridges (Poor Microsoft!). Last month this dream came to an end as the only Cortana speaker removed Microsoft’s digital assistant. Following this, the GLAS thermostat powered by Cortana will also no longer receive support from Microsoft’s digital assistant.
Cortana is not being completely ended. Conversational AI is still being valued by Microsoft and the company is all set to re-orient Cortana in a way that can develop Microsoft’s enterprise-focused offerings.
