Microsoft has removed Cortana, and Apple should do the same with Siri

Cortana — is Microsoft’s virtual assistant that was introduced in 2014, when Windows Phone was still in flux. Similar to Siri, Cortana allows users to perform a number of tasks using voice commands. But it looks like Microsoft is abandoning its old virtual assistant, as the latest Windows 11 update has killed off the Cortana app. The reason? Instead, the company will bet on artificial intelligence.

An artificial intelligence app.

According to Windows Latest, the Cortana app has received an update via the Microsoft Store after two years without a single new feature. But instead of new features, the update has all but killed Cortana and now displays a message that «Cortana in Windows as a standalone app is obsolete». A Microsoft support article reports that Cortana will still be available in apps such as Outlook and Microsoft Teams. However, even that shouldn’t last long. Microsoft says it will now focus on Bing Search and Windows Copilot, which are powered by generative AI.

Microsoft says it will now focus on Bing Search and Windows Copilot, which are powered by generative AI.

«Starting in August 2023, we will no longer support Cortana on Windows as a standalone app. However, you will still be able to enjoy powerful productivity features in Windows and Edge with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities» —Microsoft said in a statement. «We’re excited to continue to innovate and use AI to help you work smarter and faster».

We’re excited to continue to innovate and use AI to help you work smarter and faster.

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According to Windows Latest, Cortana is expected to be disabled on previous versions of Windows in the coming weeks as well. With Microsoft and OpenAI working together to improve ChatGPT, it’s no surprise that the company is ditching its decade-old assistant in favor of the new technology.

Since Microsoft and OpenAI are working together to improve ChatGPT, it’s no surprise that the company is ditching its decade-old assistant in favor of the new technology.

Apple should do the same with Siri. Earlier today during an investor call, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that Apple has been researching «a wide range of AI technologies» including «generative AI» for several years. Numerous rumors have indicated that Apple is developing the technology internally to compete with ChatGPT. However, while Microsoft and Google have already made their new tools publicly available, Apple is still a long way off.

Microsoft and Google have already made their new tools publicly available.

In the meantime, Siri remains Siri. Even Apple employees complain of «organizational dysfunction and lack of ambition» when it comes to developing Apple’s virtual assistant. Some employees point out that Siri is still based on very outdated technology and improving it will require a lot of effort. Seeing what other companies are accomplishing with generative AI, I think it’s time for Apple to abandon Siri and focus its efforts on newer technology.

And I think it’s time for Apple to move away from Siri and put its efforts into newer technology.