With the next update of Windows 10, Microsoft prepares for major changes to Cortana, its virtual assistant, taking out its smart home features and changing it into a program that's less like Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant, and more of a productivity tool.
As the newly pared-back Cortana called Ars Technica is expected to enter with the official launch of Windows 10 20H1, which will be this year's major update of the operating system. Nevertheless, Microsoft has yet to make an announcement on the roll-out, but Windows fans are expecting it the soonest.
Relatively, the update is also set to put strict restrictions on who can use Cortana and thus, only users logged into their Microsoft online account, or work or school account can access.
An article posted on TechRadar indicates that if an individual only uses "a local Windows 10 account," he'll be out of luck. Meaning, he won't be able to access and use Cortana.
In the blog post containing the announcement on the update, Cortana corporate vice president Andrew Shuman said that the focus of Cortana is turning narrower, and concentrating more on productivity and search.
Benefits of the Feature
This new Cortana Experience according to Shuman, highlights a chat-based UI, giving the user "the ability to interact with Cortana" through the use of the keyboard or his voice.
For English or United States users, the corporate vice president said, Cortana will assist them in better handling their tasks and schedule by staying on top of their calendar and concentrating on what matters with insights of the meeting.
Additionally, the user can type or speak requests to files or people, or swiftly create or search for emails. He can also check his calendar, set a specific reminder, or add to his lists via the "Microsoft To Do."
These features may seem interesting but not all Microsoft users can benefit from them because they'll only be available for US users, initially.
So, if you live outside this country, Cortana can only perform searches through Bing and "'chat' to you until an undetermined time later on." And, if you presently use Cortana to control and manage your smart home devices here's the good news: Microsoft has already confirmed that you can manage your music and lights with the Cortana apps for Android and iOS, at least, for the time being.
What to Expect
As for the status of the latest Windows update, Microsoft is already in the works on Window 10's 20H1 update. For those who haven't known, Windows update is automatically installing a lot of updates.
However, some of these updates are optional. Also, there's a new screen showing all of the updates in just one place.
Meanwhile, updates for hardware drivers, major feature updates like 20H1 itself, as well as the monthly updates of non-security quality like the C and D updates are also to appear on the screen.
To find the said screen after being updated to 20H1, go to Settings then, Update & Security, followed by Windows Update and View optional updates. You may opt for updates you might want to be installed on your PC.
