What you need to know
- Microsoft is reportedly working on more closely integrating Cortana with Teams.
- New features would let Cortana send files, start chats, and more in Teams.
- The report also notes Cortana is internally referred to as Microsoft 365 Assistant.
Microsoft is working to integrate Cortana more with Microsoft Teams, according to a report from Petri's Brad Sams. New features said to be on the way include allowing Cortana to "send files, create chats, present content while in meetings and quite a bit more." Currently, Microsoft is experimenting with Cortana's location within Teams, Sams says.
The report also shines a light on a potential new name for Cortana as Microsoft continues its transformation into a productivity assistant. Internally, Sams says, Cortana is referred to as "Microsoft 365 Assistant." While there's no indication Microsoft will publicly shift to this name, it could make the transition in a bid to more accurately describe Cortana's new focus.
Surface Earbuds appear to still be on track for a release this spring, as Microsoft previously announced after delaying their launch. Sams notes that Cortana's "Play my Emails" feature over the Surface Earbuds may be rebranded as "commuter." Under the new moniker, Cortana would read your emails, read your calendar, and allow you to interact with your agenda via Surface Earbuds while commuting to work.
Microsoft last week previewed Cortana's new role in the Windows 10 20H1 update as a productivity assistant, while also announcing some major changes. Among them, Cortana will go away in Windows 10 versions that are at their "end-of-support" dates. Cortana is also getting the ax in Microsoft Launcher and Microsoft is dropping third-party skills, along with music and connected home skills.
