In One Word, Here's Why Microsoft Should Copy Amazon's Echo
Amazon last week surprised everyone with the Echo, a 9-inch cylinder that's more or less a voice-activated speaker.
YouTube
Wherever you are in the room, you can ask Amazon Echo to play music, answer questions, check the weather, set alarms, and even manage your various to-do and grocery lists.
It's like Siri, at least in terms of functionality. Except this stays plugged in, it's always on, and it doesn't need you to press a button to activate it or ask it a question.
Amazon
Knowing how the tech world works, we'll likely see Amazon Echo clones in the near future. But the one company that should be keen to jump on this trend quickly is Microsoft.
YouTube
There are plenty of voice assistants out there, but Cortana had a reputation long before Microsoft decided to relegate her to Windows Phones.
In the bestselling "Halo" series, Cortana is the holographic, anthropomorphic artificial intelligence hologram who helps guide you through the games.
In "Halo," when she's not inside Master Chief's helmet, Cortana appears on small physical platforms; she doesn't walk around, but she is still pretty animated.
It would be great to see Microsoft take this idea of Cortana to the next level by putting holograms in people's homes.
YouTube
Holograms are already out there - and they're usually much bigger than a "Cortana for the home" would be. Some airports have AVA, the holographic virtual assistant who helps direct people to various terminals and destinations within the airport. And at the Coachella music festival in 2012, a moving hologram of late rapper Tupac Shakur appeared on stage.
YouTube
Like Amazon Echo, Cortana could be remain in sleep mode until you need her - you could call her by name, and she'd instantly wake up. And unlike Amazon Echo, where you'd need to see if the LED light on the top of the cylinder is lit, it would be obvious if Cortana were awake since there'd be a small standing hologram in your living room.
YouTube
The Amazon Echo is a cool idea, but it's also very simple. By adding holograms (see: a cool new technology associated with science fiction) and a character millions of people are already familiar with through "Halo," Microsoft could have a direct line into people's homes, and into their lives.
- I quit McKinsey after 1.5 years. I was making over $200k but my mental health was shattered.
- Some Tesla factory workers realized they were laid off when security scanned their badges and sent them back on shuttles, sources say
- I tutor the children of some of Dubai's richest people. One of them paid me $3,000 to do his homework.
- Why are so many elite coaches moving to Western countries?
- Global GDP to face a 19% decline by 2050 due to climate change, study projects
- 5 things to keep in mind before taking a personal loan
- Markets face heavy fluctuations; settle lower taking downtrend to 4th day
- Move over Bollywood, audio shows are starting to enter the coveted ‘100 Crores Club’