Microsoft has decided to close the Cortana application for Android and iOS software platforms. A message published on the support site states that the application will stop working in at least the UK, Canada and Australia markets in January next year.
“To make voice assistant as useful as possible, we are integrating Cortana into Microsoft 365 office apps, making them more productive. As part of this, we are ending support for the Cortana app for Android and iOS in your market on January 31, 2020,” Microsoft said in a statement posted on its UK support site.
It's unclear whether the Cortana app for iOS and Android will continue to work in other markets after January 31. Microsoft representatives have not made any official statements on this matter. The previously mentioned message that appeared on the support site states that Cortana will also disappear from the Microsoft Launcher app on January 31, but this applies to the UK, Canada and Australia markets.
It is worth saying that the Cortana application, among other things, is used to configure settings and update the firmware of proprietary Surface headphones. The message does not mention how headphone owners living in countries where Cortana support will end will be able to access these features.
Recall that Microsoft launched the Cortana application for Android and iOS in December 2015. Despite efforts to develop its voice assistant, Microsoft has been unable to compete with other tech giants in this segment. Moreover, this year Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the company no longer sees Cortana as a competitor to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Source: 3dnews.ru