This fall, the release of Windows 10 update 19H2 is expected, featuring quite few new additions. However, one of them is particularly interesting, as it concerns third-party voice assistants on the OS lock screen.
This capability is already present in build 18362.10005, which was released in the Slow Ring. It is noted that Alexa from Amazon and the proprietary Cortana system are included in the list. They can be activated without unlocking the system, even by voice. This clearly continues the company's policy of deep integration of voice assistants into the system.
Back in early 2019, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged that Cortana cannot compete directly with solutions like Alexa or Google Assistant. Hence, the corporation decided not to fight but to collaborate.
The company also intends to make Cortana a fully autonomous solution, rather than tied to the operating system. Likely, this way, Redmond aims to bring 'Cortana' to mobile devices, similar to what has been done with 'Office' and other proprietary applications.
In addition, this new insider build includes other innovations, but they are cosmetic in nature. Overall, Windows 10 19H2 is not planned as a major update. Essentially, it will be a patch with bug fixes and performance enhancements. New features will likely be postponed until at least spring of next year. This practice is probably intended to reduce the number of complaints about crashes and generally improve code quality.
Source: 3dnews.ru
