There’s no question that Alexa and Google Assistant are the dominant duo when it comes to smart assistants. Siri has its fair share of following and use on iOS devices. Microsoft’s entrant, Cortana, while being installed on millions of computers and Xbox One consoles is sorely lacking in integration and features compared to other digital assistants. Hopefully, that’s about to change as Microsoft recently announced not only more smart home integration but also IFTTT (if this, then that) support for their digital assistant.
Posting on the Windows Experience Blog, Microsoft announced that Cortana on Window 10, the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker, Android, and iOS devices can now control smart home devices from ecobee, Honeywell Lyric, Honeywell Total Connect Comfort, LIFX, TP-Link Kasa, and Geeni. Devices from these OEMs join smart devices from Samsung SmartThings, Nets, Philips Hue, Wink, and Insteon which could already be used with Cortana.
In addition, Microsoft’s digital smart assistant is getting IFTTT support as well, which opens up many more possibilities for controlling devices and prompting Cortana to perform certain tasks or series of tasks with IFTTT Applets.
We are also excited to share that starting today, Cortana works with IFTTT! IFTTT is a free platform that helps you connect your apps and services together. IFTTT works with 600 services from providers in a variety of areas. You could add items to your shopping list on Trello, post a tweet, open your Link shades, extend tumble time on your GE Dryer and log your weight on Fitbit among many other things. There’s a whole world of possibilities with Cortana on IFTTT.
The new integration and IFTTT support are most welcome as the company seemed to be off to a good start with their Harmon Kardon Invoke speaker which boasted fantastic sound quality and works well with the little integration Cortana currently offered at the time. However, Microsoft has a long way to go to catch up to Google and Amazon’s offerings.
Currently there are thirty-nine available IFTTT applets ready for use with Cortana, but of course, you can create your own phrases and control over 550 apps and devices with IFTTT integration.
What do you think of the news that Microsoft’s digital assistant now works with more smart home providers and finally has IFTTT support? Too little, too late? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
[button link=”https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/02/16/hey-cortana-turn-heat-cortana-now-works-smart-home-providers-ifttt/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Microsoft[/button][button link=”https://ifttt.com/blog/2018/02/Hey-Cortana-welcome-to-IFTTT” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: IFTTT[/button][button link=”https://ifttt.com/cortana” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: IFTTT Cortana Applets[/button]Last Updated on December 26, 2019.
