Amazon Bringing Alexa to Windows 10 PCs

After smart speakers, smart displays, and a bunch of other gadgets, Amazon is bringing its Alexa smart assistant to Windows 10 PCs. The company is partnering with some of the biggest Windows device makers, including the likes of Lenovo, HP, Asus, and Acer, to bring Alexa to new Windows 10 devices this year.

Alexa will come pre-installed as an app on devices with support for the smart assistant. Lenovo, HP, Asus, and Acer are building new Windows 10 devices–some of which are getting unveiled at CES this week–with far-field microphones that will let users activate Alexa with its hotword. Alexa will present responses to questions with visuals on Windows 10, just like Cortana.

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The arrival of Alexa on Windows 10 PCs isn’t something part of Amazon’s recent partnership with Microsoft. The move from Amazon, therefore, is certainly an interesting development to the story. Both Amazon and Microsoft recently partnered to integrate their respective smart assistants, allowing users to use either Alexa or Cortana on devices. That was supposed to arrive in December, but the release later got delayed without any information from either of the companies.

Alexa on Windows 10 PCs will automatically be way ahead of Cortana in terms of functionality. Amazon has more than 25 thousand Alexa Skills, which is impeccable when compared to Microsoft’s mere collection of approximately 300 Cortana Skills. And needless to mention, Cortana’s development has stalled in the recent months, gaining almost no notable feature.

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  • Mehedi Hassan

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 3:42 am

    <p>Only a matter of time till Microsoft dumps Cortana, methinks. </p>

    • ponsaelius

      08 January, 2018 - 3:52 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235841"><em>In reply to Mehedi:</em></a></blockquote><p>I posted as much in the Forums yesterday before any of this came out.</p><p><br></p><p>The mobile abandonment strategy victims after Groove will probably include Cortana in 2018.</p>

    • madthinus

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2018 - 4:30 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235841"><em>In reply to Mehedi:</em></a></blockquote><p>Cortana is a limited experience tied to 22 markets or something pathetic. OEM's are looking to stay relevant in a changing environment. Google will probably bake Hey Google into Chrome soon. So here is free money on the table for an app that they don't even have to write themselves. Bet that will be a store app as well. So it is not like it is bloatware or crapware. </p>

    • Bart

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2018 - 7:07 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235841"><em>In reply to Mehedi:</em></a></blockquote><p>Alexa for Consumers, Cortana for Business users?</p>

      • Pierre Masse

        08 January, 2018 - 10:40 am

        <blockquote><a href="#235869"><em>In reply to Bart:</em></a></blockquote><p>Why then are they abandoning Cortana for Dynamics?</p>

  • KhalidAljabi

    08 January, 2018 - 3:43 am

    <p>I'm so glad to hear and I would definitely install it once available! Microsoft screwed up its opportunity even on their platforms when it comes to internet browser and now digital assistant.</p>

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 4:28 am

    <p>Yeah, OEM's have so forgiven Microsoft for Surface hardware. </p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 5:42 am

    <p>I wonder if we could have both running at the same time? That'd be neat.</p><p><br></p><p>This may be a useful UWP app (they do say win 10, not win 7 / 8.1). Wonder if it'll run on xbox? Heck, my xbox one installed the vmware horizon virtual desktop client from the store when all I wanted was to put it on my laptop ?</p><p><br></p><p>I could see a cheap little screen, an Intel compute stick and a little usb microphone making a neat device to have in the kitchen for music, videos, Alexa / cortana, etc. </p><p><br></p><p>PCs used to have this kind of utility about them. You could mix and match. The walled gardens put up by the companies has made this harder in recent years, and Android has gone a long way to becoming the new utility device that everyone supports.</p><p><br></p><p>I certainly think Google came of age in consumer's minds, and gave us a rude awakening, when it could refuse to have some of its services supported on various MS platforms / devices and people simply switched to a platform that Google supported since the MS services weren't as good (or completely missing in some cases) </p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2018 - 11:36 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235866"><em>In reply to IanYates82:</em></a></blockquote><p>This seems like something that will be done through OEMs on new machines only. Amazon will likely require that integrated far field microphone for it to work.</p><p><br></p><p>Even though you’ll be sitting in front of it.</p>

      • chrisrut

        Premium Member
        08 January, 2018 - 12:54 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#235957"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>Right. And users never walk across the room, and users never work in a noisy environments, and…. </p>

  • Marius Muntean

    08 January, 2018 - 5:58 am

    <p>:)))) Goodbye Cortana. Another FCKUP by Microsoon</p>

  • wiederman

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 6:48 am

    <p>Hope this app is made available to all pcs… not just Acer, HP or Asus</p>

  • dnation70

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 7:30 am

    <p>good by cortana</p>

  • Daishi

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 7:36 am

    <p>It blows my mind that Microsoft haven’t spent the last year or 2, since Echos started becoming a thing, making Cortana the digital assistant people already own. Integrate with XBox through Kinect and/or a far field microphone accessory. Sell $30-50 ‘dumb’ speaker and mic pods that connect to Windows 10 PCs and Xboxs on the same wifi network to work like an Echo. And above all actually work on making Cortana awesome so that people don’t even see why they would bother getting another device.</p><p><br></p><p>But instead it took them a year to get the Invoke into the market, after they were already late to the game, only for it to have sunk without a trace. Now it's too late.</p><p><br></p><p>Sometimes I find myself wondering if Microsoft are actively sabotaging their consumer presence so they can justify abandoning it all together.</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    08 January, 2018 - 7:55 am

    <p>I guess I'm not the only one who can see this killing Cortana stone dead then.</p>

    • JimP

      08 January, 2018 - 8:10 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235901"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Does Alexa give location-based reminders? IOW, will it remind me to buy milk the next time I'm at the grocery store?</p>

      • Jules Wombat

        08 January, 2018 - 9:01 am

        <blockquote><a href="#235909"><em>In reply to JimP:</em></a></blockquote><p>Well since Cortana cannot reliably provide location based reminders or location based servcies, except in the good old US of A , I don't see Alexa at being any disadvantage. </p>

        • JimP

          08 January, 2018 - 2:05 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#235926"><em>In reply to Jules_Wombat:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>So, Alexa is at an disadvantage in the US.</p>

  • JimP

    08 January, 2018 - 8:09 am

    <p>Cool. Is it a Windows Store app? When will it be released?</p>

    • JimP

      08 January, 2018 - 8:20 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235906"><em>In reply to JimP:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>According to Egadget, it will be released in the spring:</p><p><br></p><p>&lt;quote&gt;</p><p>Amazon will release a special Alexa app in the spring, and laptop builders are tapping Intel's Smart Sound tech to make sure that the app can pick up your voice when you're not right next to your PC.</p><p>&lt;/quote&gt;</p><p><br></p><p>www.engadget.com/2018/01/08/amazon-alexa-windows-10-pcs/</p>

  • Dan1986ist

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 9:08 am

    <p>Cortana is the search in Windows 10 even if people don't use the AI part. So, realistically what are the odds of Cortana actually getting dropped? Just wondering. </p>

    • chrisrut

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2018 - 1:12 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#235927"><em>In reply to Dan1986ist:</em></a></blockquote><p>The odds are zero. </p>

  • glenn8878

    08 January, 2018 - 9:13 am

    <p>I’m sure Alexa will play your music library (and Prime) unlike Cortana. </p><p><br></p><p>Amazon needs to sell a compatible microphone, which are not standard with Windows PCs. </p>

  • rameshthanikodi

    08 January, 2018 - 10:08 am

    <p>RIP Cortana</p>

  • Bats

    08 January, 2018 - 10:44 am

    <p>LOL…this is soooooooooo freakin funny. Funny, in not a good way, though. I don't know how this is going to work, with Amazon Alexa on PCs, but one can assume that this move is going to usurp Cortana on PCs.&nbsp;</p><p>Having an "Assistant" is a very personal thing for people. A human assistant, isn't just a "secretary", but more like an extension of oneself. That's because the Assistant is supposed to know his/her boss very well and is available at a beckon call. It can even be said that the Assistant is supposed to think and know exactly what the Boss wants.The same thing can be said with a digitial assistant. This is why it's so cool to have one available, where it can be. In the kitchen, bedroom, office, ….. bathroom.&nbsp;</p><p>If Alexa is going to be integrated onto a Windows PC, who is the user going to call for any "on the fly" information? The better bet would be the Ghostbusters, rather than Cortana.&nbsp;</p><p>For me, I already have Alexa and the Google Assistant control the thermostat in my house and now my (new) car. In these very cold times in Northeast, I could tell Alexa or Google Assitant to start my car in the morning, 10 minutes before I drove off to work, without even searching for my phone. I wouldn't be able to do that with Cortana because a) Cortana is not available for my car. Is it available for any car? b) It's not accessible anywhere because Microsoft has failed to expand it's use outside the personal computing device.</p><p>I don't even know why Microsoft developed Cortana. I would imagine that, once Google develops something where the (fabulous) Google Assistant can work on a PC seamlessly, then Cortana is done (D.O.N.E….done). This is why Microsoft users are taking a big gamble"investing" in that Harmon Kardon, or any Microsoft (hardware) device, like that GLAS. LOL…go ahead spend $300+ for that Cortana controlled thermostat. Chances are, in a few years, GLAS will be like the new Betamax.</p><p>Not just that, but Cortana isn't very good. Last time I used Cortana was when I asked her, "Who played Rhaegar Tagaryan on Game of Thrones?"&nbsp;LOL…Cortana wasn't able to tell me at the moment, but instead showed me Bing results for the furniture store Raymour and&nbsp;Flanigan. I'm betting that if Alexa is replaced by Cortana in the PC, it's going to get me better and more accurate information.&nbsp;</p><p>Oh Well. What can you do?</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2018 - 11:42 am

      <blockquote><a href="#235944"><em>In reply to Bats:</em></a></blockquote><p>Beck and call, not “beckon call.” :)</p><p><br></p><p>But honestly, I’m sliding into that part of the population that wonders why I need an assistant on the PC. I can put a Google Home right beside it. I wouldn’t be too surprised though, if they bring the Assistant to Chrome.</p><p><br></p><p>The one thing that I love about Cortana is that I don’t have to talk to make her do stuff. I can type. Alexa or the Google Assistant won’t let you type most likely. </p>

    • TigerBalm7

      08 January, 2018 - 11:57 am

      <p>LOL…this is soooooooooo freakin funny. Funny, in not a good way, though. I don't know how this is going to work, with Amazon Alexa on PCs, but one can assume that this move is going to usurp Cortana on PCs.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Yep. Alexa will also be available almost worldwide. Cortana?….Nope, still waiting here in the Caribbean. Laughable</p>

  • slbailey1

    08 January, 2018 - 10:49 am

    <p>If Amazon can bring Alexa to PCs then then should bring there Kindle and Music apps to PCs. At a minimum as PWA with offline capabilities.</p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 11:41 am

    <p>Oh. Only on new machines?</p><p><br></p><p>If I can’t install it on my box and use it without a microphone, it’s nothing but a cute novelty.</p>

    • chrisrut

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2018 - 1:07 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#235958"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>So: if it won't run on old hardware – we should write it off like Balmer dissing iPhones? So much for progress.</p>

      • jimchamplin

        Premium Member
        08 January, 2018 - 2:29 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#235999"><em>In reply to chrisrut:</em></a></blockquote><p>No, it’s just of no use to me. I’m allowed to be disappointed ?</p>

  • Winner

    08 January, 2018 - 11:57 am

    <p>Microsoft was once again late to the table with Cortana. I think we should put her out to pasture.</p>

    • JimP

      08 January, 2018 - 2:10 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#235965"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Cortana was released before Alexa, not the other way around.</p>

      • Winner

        08 January, 2018 - 4:57 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#236018"><em>In reply to JimP:</em></a></blockquote><p>Late to the table, as in with a viable product.</p><p>Early doesn't do any good if the product's not viable:</p><ul><li>Tablet PC</li><li>Windows CE "touch" phone</li></ul>

        • JimP

          09 January, 2018 - 8:16 am

          <blockquote><a href="#236071"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>"Viable" is a matter of opinion. Personally, I've been using it for years with success. I wish it could do more, but it can tell me the weather, remind me to do things, play music for me, etc..</p>

          • Winner

            09 January, 2018 - 11:50 pm

            <blockquote><a href="#236229"><em>In reply to JimP:</em></a></blockquote><p>Viable is a market decision. Cortana is not looking good. Windows CE never took off except a bit in business space. Original Tablet PC was niche at best.</p>

            • JimP

              10 January, 2018 - 12:23 pm

              <blockquote><a href="#236481"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>You keep talking about Windows CE and the original tablet PC. </p>

              • Winner

                10 January, 2018 - 4:37 pm

                <blockquote><a href="#236619"><em>In reply to JimP:</em></a></blockquote><p>Look up "Example"</p>

                • JimP

                  11 January, 2018 - 8:57 am

                  <blockquote><a href="#236729"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Yes, and you've consistently failed to make a connection between Cortana and your examples. If you have no evidence to back up your comparison (which apparently you don't otherwise you would have stated it by now), you're just wasting everyone's time.</p>

  • Chris Payne

    08 January, 2018 - 12:47 pm

    <p>This is gotta sting for Microsoft. Wouldn't be surprised if Alexa on Windows get more (real) usage than Cortana. I say "real" because MS counts almost every interaction in Windows as Cortana usage. </p>

  • chrisrut

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 12:59 pm

    <p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Cortana’s development has stalled in the recent months, gaining almost no notable feature." Which you interpret as meaning what? That no development is ongoing? No product manager would ever proceed on that basis: hope for the best, plan for the worst. While the cynics might be right, that MS is just going to drop the whole thing, it is FAR more likely they don't want to play poker with all their cards face up on the table.</span></p>

    • unfalln

      08 January, 2018 - 6:46 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#235995"><em>In reply to chrisrut:</em></a></blockquote><p>But they'd probably want to, at least, hand the cards in at some point. I believe Amazon just showed their full house.</p>

  • chrisrut

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 1:01 pm

    <p> BTW: the first sentence in the third paragraph needs a bit of an edit…</p>

  • chrisrut

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 1:09 pm

    <p>Yes, Alexa will have those 25,000 skills. But Alexa plus Cortana would marry all dem' skills with deep user integration. But obviously, no one at Amazon or Microsoft was bright enough to figure that out, right? You could be right.</p><p>I'm in a very sarcastic mood today…</p>

  • SoundersFan

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2018 - 2:19 pm

    <p>Is this a store app? From the article, this sounds like an OEM pre-installed app. However, if it is an app available from the store (UWP or centennial) perhaps this app could be a small piece of a bigger puzzle to get Microsoft and Google to work more closely together. Ergo, getting Chrome and other google properties (like Google Home/Assistant) into the store.</p>

  • donald0

    08 January, 2018 - 11:08 pm

    <p>So I got an Echo Spot for Christmas, put it next to my PC Monitor. Did I accidently integrate Alexa to my PC (and get a free clock in the process)?</p>

  • allanwith

    08 January, 2018 - 11:59 pm

    <p>The most used pieces of software on Windows will be:</p><p>iTunes</p><p>Chrome</p><p>Alexa</p><p>… and maybe Office :)</p>

  • mortarm

    17 January, 2018 - 1:51 pm

    <p>Could Cortana become the next Windows Phone?</p>

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