A few days ago Microsoft presented a whole range of smart home appliances that were equipped with Windows IoT, something nothing new, but its software was. Unlike other models, these Windows IoT appliances have a very peculiar voice assistant: Cortana.
Indeed, Cortana will arrive other devices that have Windows IoT but not to everyone or currently. The famous Microsoft assistant will arrive with the next Windows 10 update, Windows 10 Creators Update, something that will reach our computers in March 2017. This update will make motherboards Hardware Libre like Raspberry Pi can get a virtual assistant without paying a dime for it, even recreate other devices that need a virtual assistant or artificial intelligence.
Cortana will allow us to create smart speakers with Raspberry Pi and Windows IoT
Currently there are many projects that try to imitate the Amazon Echo or Google Home but at the cost of Hardware Libre, although in the end, all of them need the software from these companies to work, which is why Cortana may represent a relief for many projects that do not find their needs covered with these artificial intelligences.
In this case, not only would Raspberry Pi be compatible with Cortana but also other free boards such as Arduino could work perfectly with this voice assistant. In addition, Microsoft will include in the wizard a new function called «Far Field Voice»That will make it possible to control Cortana with a distance of up to 4 meters away, something interesting for certain projects and even for certain rooms or small places.
Personally, I think it's great news that Cortana is coming to the world. Hardware Libre because it was a land that was taken over by Amazon's Alexa, but now more virtual assistants may come to plaques Hardware Libre and home projects, at least it would be positive Do not you think?