A Year Later Cortana and Alexa Are FINALLY Working Together

With the public preview, users will be able to use Alexa on their Cortana device, including the Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker, their Windows 10 PC, the Cortana app on Android and iOS, just by simply saying "Hey Cortana, open Alexa".

Originally announced last August, with a tentative delivery date towards the end of past year, the tie-up was meant to give Amazon users access to functionality such as Cortana's Office 365 integration, while allowing Cortana users (if using a multiple is appropriate) to leverage the Echo's impressive smart home integration and do a bit of shopping. (Not that Amazon's waited on Microsoft to expand to Windows 10 laptops, television sets, and other devices.) It's easier for the virtual assistants to reach as many people as possible by partnering up than by competing.

What Alexa looks like through Cortana on Windows 10. Those who take part in the public preview will be able to share feedback to improve the experience, both companies said today.

Assuming you have a device with Alexa, such as the Amazon Echo, you can summon Cortana to perform actions like checking email, adding items to a to-do list, and getting an update on your calendar events.

Video Shows Vehicles Stopped at Collapse Point of Genoa Bridge
Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said the army was ready to offer manpower and vehicles to help with the rescue operations. An official for the civil protection agency said there had been 30 cars and five to 10 trucks on the section that fell.

As of right now, Alexa and Cortana users in the U.S. can summon the other assistant via a simple voice command, with both Amazon and Microsoft asking users to test everything before rolling the feature out worldwide.

Not every feature from both systems is included, but the vast majority will work including home control, something that Cortana remains limited in. Given recent demos of Google's Duplex, the collaboration between Amazon and Microsoft has been dialed-up. You don't need to say "Cortana" or "Alexa" before your commands, but you still need to say "Alexa, stop", to turn off the service.

The idea is to capitalize on each company's strength - Amazon's in consumer technology, and Microsoft's in workplace software.

The ability to stream music and set alarms across digital assistants are skills that are not available yet. In recent months, Cortana-Alexa integration has been in testing inside Microsoft and with select Amazon users.

Related News:

16 August 2018

Measles cases growing in IL , other states
One dose is about 93% effective at preventing the contagious disease if you come into contact with the virus. Health officials are continuing to monitor a measles outbreak impacting 21 states, including MI .

15 August 2018

Fineprint crucial to unlocking Caspian Sea's vast resources
That is why disagreements over how to divide some of its huge oil and gas fields have been numerous - and acrimonious. Some littoral states have also disputed the ownership of several oil and gas fields, which delayed their development.

14 August 2018

World equities slip on Turkey currency woes
USA officials say National Security adviser John Bolton had met with the Turkish ambassador to Washington on Monday. Erdogan claims that his stance against USA imports is necessary due to the recent collapse in Turkish assets.
16 August 2018

How Jose Mourinho Reacted To Paul Pogba’s Unhappy Comments
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told Paul Pogba to hand in a transfer request if he wants to leave. The Sun reported in July that Zidane was top of United's shortlist should Mourinho leave the club.

15 August 2018

Erdogan says Turkey will boycott US electronics, lira steadies
The US has since imposed financial sanctions on two Turkish ministers, leading Turkey to clap back with its own sanctions . On Wednesday, the lira traded at 6.4125 to the US dollar, weakening from a close of 6.3577 a day earlier.

15 August 2018

American Troops Help Fight Off Major Taliban Assault
Just this week, American Special Forces were deployed to the city to help train local forces and guard against renewed attacks. Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for USA forces in Afghanistan, said American forces and US attack helicopters flew in overnight.
16 August 2018

Omarosa Says Trump Is 'Obsessed' With Ivanka - Calls Relationship 'Sickening'
But she has already contradicted herself and lacks credibility as she makes bombshell allegations that Trump is a vocal racist . The only way to shut him down, she said, is to "don't give him the oxygen" that comes from news stories, clicks, and likes.

15 August 2018

Turkish Court Rejects Appeal to Free Detained U.S. Pastor
Pekcan said, according to the report , "the United States is an important trading partner, but it is not our only partner". The emir of Qatar also arrived in Turkey on Wednesday on a "working" visit aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation.

15 August 2018

Wildfire smoke brings regional health warning — QUALITY ALERT
Try running your air conditioner and set it to re-circulate the air - the idea is to keep the air moving and keep it cool. And it's unclear when the smoke might leave the region. "The wildfire season is definitely not done", Wineke said.
15 August 2018

PGA Championship a roaring success for St. Louis region
Speaking after his third-round 66, Woods admitted the delay in play over the course of the weekend has taken it's toll on him. Much is being made of the fact he's "only" won four times on "the tour", but that would be the US PGA Tour.

15 August 2018

Gareth Bale is 'ultra professional', says Real Madrid's Julen Lopetegui
We are delighted with his attitude and his desire, he's an ultra professional who is training with the desire of a youth teamer. Whatever happens, Real Madrid will continue to live on, and it was (Ronaldo's) choice to leave.

15 August 2018

U.S. urges United Kingdom to end support for Iran nuclear deal
In the article, Johnson said the Trump administration is "determined to make sure they [the sanctions] are fully enforced". President Trump warned United States partners and the rest of the global community against trading with Iran .