Microsoft released new Cortana version in Windows 10 focus on productivity

Earlier, we mentioned that Microsoft will give up the mobile version of Microsoft Cortana, and will also remove the integrated Cortana directly from the Microsoft Launcher. Cortana has not completely died as a digital assistant, but in nature, it is no longer a personal assistant but focuses on productivity to improve user productivity.

In the official blog, Microsoft explained the development goal of Microsoft Cortana in the Windows 10 20H1 version, which is simply to assist users in their work tasks. It is worth noting that from the next new version, Cortana will not be integrated into the taskbar, but as a normal application.

Here’s what you can expect in the updated app:

• To give you an improved companion experience that’s more seamless with your workflows, we’ve undocked the app from the taskbar, so now you can move or re-size Cortana like any other app.
• We’ve made it easy for you to configure your default input to Cortana via Settings > Talk to Cortana, so now you can choose if you prefer typing or speaking.
• The improved email skill lets you use Cortana to create and query emails:
  • “Send an email to <name> letting them know I’m running late”
  • “Show me emails from <name>”
• The improved calendar skill lets you create and query meetings:
  • “Set up a 1:1 with <name> at <time>”
  • “What’s my next meeting?”
  • “Join my meeting” (Note: This only works for Teams meetings at this time.)
• The improved Windows skill lets you use Cortana to open apps and adjust settings:
  • “Open Paint 3D”
  • “Change the brightness”
• We’ve made significant accessibility improvements, so Cortana is easier for everyone to use.
• We’ve removed Cortana support for ‘connect accounts,’ so now your work and personal accounts are two separate experiences based on whichever account you sign in with. If you sign in with a Microsoft Account, you’ll interact with your personal information. If you sign in with a work or school account, Cortana will work with that one. Your chat history will be retained on your local device, and if you use a personal Microsoft account your data will still be visible in the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.
• Also, while we’re honing our productivity skills, we’re temporarily removing a few Cortana skills that were previously released to Windows Insiders. But don’t worry, we’re giving them a fresh coat of paint, and they’ll be coming back soon! These include:
  • Bing Instant Answers
  • Jokes and other assistant conversations.
  • Timers