Microsoft revealed earlier this month that HP is planning to build a Cortana-powered speaker. At Computex today, the software giant demonstrated what it described as HP’s “digital assistant.” It’s a small puck-like speaker that acts as a standalone container for the Cortana software built of Windows 10 PC. HP hasn’t provided actual hardware at Computex, but Microsoft demonstrated a “visual representation” of the device.
Microsoft says HP’s Cortana speaker is a standalone personal assistant
is a senior correspondent and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.
Luckily, after some initial confusion, Microsoft has confirmed that the speaker will operate as a standalone Cortana device, like Harman Kardon’s Invoke. Although HP appears to have created the hardware device as a companion to its range of Windows 10 PCs, it will still function as a full Cortana speaker.
“The new HP digital assistant featuring Cortana is a standalone personal assistant device that does not need to connect to a Windows 10 PC to provide a complete intelligent speaker experience. We’re excited about our partnership with HP and have nothing else to share at this time,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement given to The Verge.
Microsoft only briefly showed the device on stage, but there’s no release date or pricing for HP’s digital assistant hardware quite yet.
Update 5:17PM ET, 5/31: Microsoft clarified that HP’s Cortana speaker does not have to connect to a Windows 10 PC to function. It can operate as a standalone device.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
