Cortana on Windows 10 IoT Harman Kardon speaker

Cortana is coming to Windows 10 IoT devices, including fridges and toasters

Soon you'll be able to interface with Cortana on fridges, toasters, thermostats, and other IoT devices.

Microsoft is working to bring Cortana to Internet of Things devices, including fridges, thermostats, and toasters. The company is planning to bring the assistant to connected devices with the Windows 10 Creators Update, which will be available in March 2017.

The software maker revealed its plans during a presentation (spotted by ZDNet) at its WinHEC conference in China, where the company also unveiled the requirements for manufacturers to build IoT devices with access to Cortana.

Perhaps the most important requirement, unlike Google Home and Amazon Echo, Microsoft will be requiring device makers to build devices that make use of Cortana with a display for a more immersive experience.

Cortana on IoT devices, including fridges, toasters, and thermostats
Cortana on IoT devices, including fridges, toasters, and thermostats

During its presentation, the company used fridges, thermostats, and toasters as examples of Windows 10 IoT devices that we will be seeing in the coming years.

Windows 10 new voice features

In addition, Microsoft is pushing “wake on voice” and “far-field voice” features that will be part of the Windows 10 Creators Update.

Wake on voice is a new feature that allows Cortana to quickly turn on a computer from full-power off state on hardware supporting “Modern Standby” power-management (similar to Xbox One).

Far-field voice is another feature that will let you interact with Cortana in a room with ambient noise at far distance up to 13 feet.

While we’re months away from Microsoft releasing its next major update, the company is already testing some of these new improvements. For example, recent preview builds of Windows 10 include a full-screen mode to use Cortana for a more immersive experience using voice command at far distances.

Amazon Echo competitor coming in 2017 

Currently the company isn’t planning to build specific hardware to access Cortana, but with features like “wake on voice” and “far-field voice” will stop third-parties from trying build-Amazon Echo like devices.

Case in point is Harman Kardon, who is working on a device to bring Cortana to a speaker that may come to market sometime next year.

In a video teaser, the company shows off a speaker that looks very similar to the Amazon Echo dot, but it features a circular screen that lights up with Cortana animation.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.