Microsoft’s Outlook for iPhone boss is now in charge of Cortana

Microsoft’s Outlook for iOS and Android boss is now transitioning to a new role inside the company, overseeing the Cortana digital assistant. Javier Soltero first joined Microsoft back in December 2014 when the software maker acquired the Acompli email app that soon became Outlook for iPhone and Android.

Axios reports that Soltero has moved to overseeing Cortana around three weeks ago, and will report to Harry Shum, Microsoft’s head of AI and research. Microsoft’s Outlook mobile app has become a popular option for both iOS and Android users, and the company has been continually updating it over the past few years. Cortana has debuted on both iOS and Android, but it hasn’t had the same impact as Outlook.

Microsoft’s Cortana has now fallen far behind Alexa and Google Assistant, and that was particularly evident at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. With the exception of the Cortana-powered thermostat (announced last year), no new Cortana devices were unveiled at CES this year. Soltero’s move could be a boost to Microsoft’s Cortana efforts, and it comes just as the company has partnered with Amazon to integrate Alexa and Cortana digital assistants.