Cortana on Invoke end-of-service offer

Every time I ask my Invoke a question now – Cortona just replies “REDRUM!!

——————————————————————————–

Hello, 

Thank you for using a Harman Kardon Invoke speaker with Cortana. 

In early 2021, we will be ending Cortana service on the Invoke. However, an update will be provided for your speaker beginning in January so you can continue to enjoy its premium quality sound through Bluetooth connectivity. Based on your recent usage, you also may be eligible to receive a $50.00 gift card from Microsoft. See below for the details on this offer. 

Our vision for Cortana has been to bring customers seamless personal productivity experiences to help them do their best work. Although this mission isn’t specific to a single device, it has become clear to us that productivity is not the focus for most users of Cortana on the Invoke speaker. As a result, after careful consideration, we’ve decided to focus our Cortana-related resources on Microsoft 365 experiences and end the Cortana service integration on Invoke. We understand that this may present some inconvenience for you, so we’ve worked closely with Harman Kardon to create a device transition plan to ease some of the impact of this decision. 

Beginning in January, Harman Kardon will begin sending a firmware update to Invoke speakers that are connected to the Internet. Once this update is delivered to your speaker, you’ll be able to continue to enjoy its premium quality sound, though you will do so via Bluetooth connectivity, without Cortana. This means that rather than control the speaker via voice commands, you’ll be able to control and use the speaker through your smartphone or other Bluetooth-connected device. The firmware update will be available for a limited time, so you should ensure your Invoke is connected to receive it in the first half of 2021. Once the update is complete Cortana will no longer be accessible on the Invoke, but you’ll be able to continue listening to your favorite music, podcasts, and radio stations on your device via Bluetooth. 

Additionally, we’re offering eligible customers the opportunity to receive a $50.00 Microsoft gift card* per active Invoke. This offer is for the latest U.S. Microsoft account owner who set up an Invoke speaker and sent a voice request to the Cortana service within the past year (since July 31, 2019, and prior to our announcement). 

You can check your eligibility and claim a Microsoft gift card by signing in with the account used to set up your Invoke and entering the MAC address of your Invoke at the redemption website. The MAC address is a 12-character alphanumeric code that can be found on the bottom of the Invoke, or in the Cortana mobile app under Devices > Settings. 

To learn more about the device transition plan and read answers to frequently asked questions, visit our support web page. 

Thanks again for using Cortana on your Invoke device. As we focus Cortana’s mission on helping busy people accelerate their productivity and get time back in their day, we look forward to continuing to bring innovation to the assistant space. 

* This offer does not apply to Invoke speakers that were part of a developer or employee program in which the Invoke was provided free of charge. This offer is also not available outside the U.S. Gift card must be claimed before July 31, 2021, and spent within one year of redemption. For online purchases in the U.S. only. See full terms at www.microsoft.com/cardterms. 

Conversation 16 comments

  • gregsedwards

    Premium Member
    31 July, 2020 - 1:38 pm

    <p>I have four of these speakers that I use weekly. I've already redeemed my $50 credit for one of them, and now I'm unable to restart the process to check the others. Anyone have a link for their customer service?</p>

    • earlster

      Premium Member
      03 August, 2020 - 6:17 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#558075">In reply to gregsedwards:</a></em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote><em>If you have more than one Invoke, you can email </em>[email protected] with the list of MAC addresses. I did that and quickly got a response that they are reviewing my submission.</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • richardfenoglio

    31 July, 2020 - 1:40 pm

    <p>Just got the same message a few moments ago. I'm pleased that HK will at least be pushing an update to leave it as a plain Bluetooth speaker.</p>

  • JimP

    31 July, 2020 - 4:05 pm

    <p>Ugh. Microsoft sucks. There was no good reason for them to lose the digital assistant market, or the smart phone market, for that matter.</p>

    • miamimauler

      31 July, 2020 - 6:01 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#558140">In reply to JimP:</a></em></blockquote><p>Are you serious? Cortana consistently ranked last in all assistant tests and the WM UI was a disaster lacking apps and developer interest.</p><p>There were perfectly good reasons why they both failed. They were both utter shite!</p>

  • navarac

    31 July, 2020 - 4:11 pm

    <p>Rule One : don't buy Microsoft gear/peripherals. You'll regret it eventually.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      31 July, 2020 - 4:43 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#558150">In reply to navarac:</a></em></blockquote><p>Well. </p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft keyboards and mice are generally excellent. Xbox hand controllers etc.</p><p><br></p><p>But headphones and speakers? Guys. Come on.</p>

      • darkgrayknight

        Premium Member
        03 August, 2020 - 2:35 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#558182">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p>I've not regretted Microsoft Keyboards and mice, they are awesome. Also, Xbox is still great.</p>

  • earlster

    Premium Member
    31 July, 2020 - 4:42 pm

    <p>When I bought my Invoke during the MS close out sale for $50, I always knew this would end up being a Bluetooth speaker. Once I get the $50 back it's a free and damn good sounding speaker.</p><p><br></p><p>That said, I do love it as a voice controlled music player, and will miss just talking to it, without going through a phone/laptop.</p><p><br></p><p>I also think that MS made a mistake not marketing Cortana right, and then abandoning it. But sadly we all know that's par for the course for all MS consumer products.</p>

    • ponsaelius

      31 July, 2020 - 8:53 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#558180">In reply to earlster:</a></em></blockquote><p>I am in the UK. I heard there was a Cortana speaker but it never reached us, Then there was the partnership with Amazon to bring Cortana to the Echo. That didn't arrive. The publicity about ending Cortana for consumer is the most promotion Microsoft have done for it in five years outside the USA. </p>

    • JimP

      31 July, 2020 - 7:48 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#558181">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Paul, you're killing me.</p>

  • jamie_webster

    01 August, 2020 - 9:56 am

    <p>Did Xiaomi ever release there cortana speaker?</p>

  • waethorn

    03 August, 2020 - 2:52 pm

    <p>How does this "smart home" technology look now?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      04 August, 2020 - 11:26 am

      This was never smart.

  • mjm9

    14 May, 2021 - 9:10 am

    <p>Hi, I am a little late to the party. MY Invoke has effectively been a door stopper for a long time. I tried to setup yesterday and stumbled upon this news! Luckily I was able to snag the $50 certificate, but unfortunately I don’t know how I will be able to set it up to convert to bluetooth only mode. The app store no longer has Cortana. Is having a PC the only option?</p>

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