Connected Devices Weekly Update/2016-12-15: Difference between revisions

Connected Devices Weekly Update/2016-12-15 (view source)

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+* Microsoft
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+** Microsoft is [http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/13/13935136/microsoft-cortana-windows-10-iot-devices planning] to allow fridges, toasters, thermostats, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices to access Cortana. The software giant is bringing Cortana to IoT devices with its Windows 10 Creators Update, due in March 2017. "This will enable you to build devices with displays, so you get that immersive Cortana experience,” explains Microsoft program manager Carla Forester. “Any kind of smart device with a screen can now take advantage of Cortana.
+** Microsoft [https://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2016/12/13/cortana-skills-kit-cortana-devices-sdk-announcement/#LhpfD4MrJSj5V3D8.97 announced] the Cortana Skills Kit and Cortana Devices SDK. The Cortana Skills Kit is designed to help developers reach the growing audience of 145 million Cortana users, helping users get things done while driving discovery and engagement across platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox and new Cortana-powered devices. The Cortana Devices SDK will allow OEMs and ODMs to create smart devices. The Cortana Skills Kit will allow developers to leverage bots created with the Microsoft Bot Framework and publish them to Cortana as a new skill, to integrate their web services as skills and to repurpose code from their existing Alexa skills to create Cortana skills. Cortana Devices SDK makes Cortana available to all OEMs and ODMs to build smarter devices on all platforms.
+** Microsoft [http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-bets-on-ai-2016-12 announced] a new Microsoft Ventures fund dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) investments. The fund, part of the company’s investment arm that launched in May, will back startups developing AI technology and includes Element AI, a Montreal-based incubator that helps other companies embrace AI. The global market for AI systems will reach $70 billion in 2020, up from $14.9 billion in 2014, Bank of America Merrill Lynch predicted last year. These AI systems span a broad category of solutions, including digital assistants, machine-learning algorithms that identify objects in images and detect cybercrime, and software that helps self-driving cars and drones avoid obstacles.
+** Microsoft is [http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/12/microsofts-first-amazon-echo-competitor-will-be-available-in-2017/ partnering] with audio giant Harman Kardon to debut what appears to be a cylindrical speaker device equipped with Cortana in 2017. The video teaser shows a disembodied voice using the "Hey Cortana" command to play music through the speaker, while the top of the device shows what looks like a circular display glowing with blue light. Microsoft says this is just one of the hardware solutions to come equipped with Cortana next year.
+** Intel is [http://www.technewsworld.com/story/84157.html partnering] with Microsoft through Project Evo to "push the boundaries of a personal computer's capabilities in the near future" Technologies under development include far-field speech and wake-on-voice enabled through Cortana, biometrics and voice authentication in Windows Hello, spacial audio, and HDR support for gaming. Project Evo -- particularly its expanded use of Cortana -- invites comparisons to the digital assistant tools found in Amazon Echo and Google Home. Though their capabilities differ, each uses voice communications to interact with the automated home.
+** Microsoft is [http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/7/13867280/microsoft-windows-10-amazon-echo-hardware-pcs rumored] to be preparing a HomeHub feature for Windows 10
+* Google:
+** Google [http://www.businessinsider.com/google-opens-up-assistant-to-developers-2016-12 announced] that it's opening up its voice-activated Assistant to third-party developers. Initially, developers will be able to build "conversation actions" — which enable consumers to interact with a company’s chatbot — through Assistant on Google Home. The company plans to eventually extend the Assistant integration to its other products, including the Pixel and Allo chat app. Direct actions — which don’t require a conversation, such as turning on the lights or playing a song — will still require a partnership with Google. Two of the three most important reasons for using voice assistants, according to a GlobalWebIndex survey, are that it's quicker and easier than using the web or apps.
+** Qualcomm [http://www.zdnet.com/article/qualcomm-google-to-team-up-on-android-things-eye-internet-of-things-apps/ said] it will work with Google to combine Android Things, an Internet of things operating system, and its Snapdragon processor. Qualcomm said the collaboration with Google will focus on developing both "consumer and industrial applications."
+*IoT platforms:
+** A head-to-head [http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/internet-of-things/300083110/head-to-head-iot-platforms-amazon-web-services-iot-vs-microsoft-azure-iot.htm comparison] of Amazon AWS for IoT and Microsoft's Azure IoT platform.
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