Microsoft is modifying the voice activation command to invoke Cortana. Instead of using “Hey Cortana,” you can now simply use the “Cortana” command to summon the assistant.
This change first appears on the Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker powered by Cortana. It’s not yet available on Windows 10, Android, and iOS, but it’s likely that this command modification will be in other platform in the near future.
As The Verge reports, it doesn’t mean that you’ll no longer be able to use the old command, Microsoft says that you’ll still be able to use “Hey Cortana.”
Altering the command to just “Cortana” will help users to control the assistant as easy as invoking Amazon’s Alexa. While the company hasn’t offered specific details of the change, both Microsoft and Amazon have partnered last year to integrate Alexa alongside Cortana on Windows 10 devices, and this may just be one step on that direction.
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 15 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 21 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. Email him at [email protected].