RIP Cortana: Microsoft is shutting down its digital assistant. (2024)

Microsoft has announced that it will be shutting down its digital assistant Cortana. The company introduced Cortana in 2014 as a competitor to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. However, Cortana has yet to gain widespread adoption, and Microsoft has been gradually phasing it out in recent years.

The final nail in the coffin for Cortana came on August 11, 2023, when Microsoft announced that it would discontinue the Cortana app for Windows 10. This means that Cortana will no longer be available as a standalone app, and it will only be accessible through integration with other Microsoft products, such as the Microsoft Edge browser and the Xbox gaming console.

The discontinuation of Cortana is a sign that Microsoft is giving up on its quest to create a successful digital assistant. The company has faced stiff competition from Amazon and Google, and it has been unable to differentiate Cortana from its rivals. Cortana also suffered from technical issues, such as a lack of accuracy and a poor user interface.

The discontinuation of Cortana is a setback for Microsoft, but it is not a surprise. The company has struggled to compete in the digital assistant market for years, and Cortana has been a significant liability. Microsoft will now need to focus on its other products, such as the Xbox and the Surface line of computers, to stay competitive.

Here are some of the reasons why Cortana failed:

• Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant were more accurate.
• It needed a better user interface.
• It needed to be integrated with more third-party services.
• Microsoft needed to invest more in marketing and promotion.

Despite its failure, Cortana had some positive features. It learned and adapted to its user's preferences over time. It could also access and control various devices and services, such as Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, and smart home devices.

The discontinuation of Cortana is a significant blow to Microsoft, but it also presents an opportunity for IT support companies like ours. As Cortana is phased out, more and more businesses will be looking for alternative solutions to meet their needs for digital assistants and other AI-powered services. We are well-positioned to help these businesses transition and are confident that we can provide them with the solutions they need to succeed.