Alexa allies with Cortana to take on Google Assistant, Siri
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It’s the first time two tech giants, Amazon and Microsoft open up their AI powered virtual aides to each other. Amazon.com Inc and Microsoft Corp have joined forces to let their voice-controlled virtual assistants talk to each other, offering users the ability to seamlessly tap into work, their homes and shop online.
The partnership is the first time two technology companies open up their artificial intelligence-powered virtual aides to each other, and will be aimed at outsmarting rivals Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri.
The move in itself is rare as most virtual assistants are known to use data from their own ecosystems and not talk to one another.
Users of Amazon’s Alexa will be able to ask Microsoft’s Cortana to do a range of activities — from booking a meeting to reading work email. And Cortana users will be able to call on Alexa to play music or turn on house lights.
Not to be left behind, Alphabet Inc said on Wednesday Google Assistant will soon be available on third-party speakers and other home appliances.
“Starting later this year, with manufacturers like LG, you’ll be able to control your appliances, including washers, dryers, vacuums and more from your Assistant on your smart speaker, Android phone or iPhone,” Google said.
Several technology companies are trying to grab a share in smart homes, which allow consumers to control various connected appliances such as refrigerators and lights from a central hub or a smartphone.
“Amazon Echo devices will claim a 70.6 percent share of the U.S.”
“In the long run it would seem that Amazon has more to gain from this deal, as Cortana remains trapped within the PC…while Amazon has won a powerful ally in its battle against Google,” Atlantic Equities analyst James Cordwell said.
While Amazon introduced voice-controlled Alexa with its Echo speakers in 2014, Google launched Assistant on its Google Home speakers last year. Apple Inc in June introduced HomePod, powered by Siri.
Amazon Echo devices will claim a 70.6 percent share of the U.S. market this year compared with a 23.8 percent share for Google Home, research firm eMarketer said in May.
Users will be able to turn to their Echo device later this year and say, “Alexa, open Cortana,” or turn to their Windows 10 device and say, “Cortana, open Alexa,” the companies said.
“It is surprising to me that these competitors have collaborated, that speaks to the quality of their respective CEOs,” Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said.
“They understand that they will benefit more by working together than trying to destroy one another.”
Questions & Answers
Q.What kind of activities can Alexa users ask Cortana to perform?
What kind of activities can Alexa users ask Cortana to perform?
Users of Amazon's Alexa will be able to ask Microsoft's Cortana to carry out various tasks. These include booking a meeting or reading work email, integrating professional functions into the Alexa experience.
Q.What is Google's strategy to compete with this new partnership?
What is Google's strategy to compete with this new partnership?
Google Assistant will soon be available on third-party speakers and other home appliances. This expansion aims to allow users to control a wider range of devices, including washers and dryers, from their Assistant.
Q.How will users initiate the interaction between Alexa and Cortana?
How will users initiate the interaction between Alexa and Cortana?
Later this year, users can tell their Echo device, 'Alexa, open Cortana'. Conversely, on a Windows 10 device, they can say, 'Cortana, open Alexa', to activate the cross-assistant functionality.
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