Microsoft Cortana is graduating from Windows 10 laptops to cars

It was only a matter of time for Microsoft virtual assistant to make its way into the automotive industry, after Apple and Alphabet Inc. tried to establish themselves as the standard for in-vehicle infotainment, and neither really did make a considerable mark, mostly due to the state of technology at the time, and a lack of consumer interest.

The landscape, however, is quickly changing, and in-car virtual assistants are expected to gain traction, as consumers are beginning to find their ubiquitous nature, less invasive, easier to interact with, and more useful.

Virtual assistants like Cortana, Siri and Google, have been staples of the mobile revolution, and since July 2015, the concept of a desktop virtual assistant has worked so well, that every desktop operating system, including macOS, has one integrated as part of user experience on PCs, laptops and 2-in-1’s.

Much like Siri or Google, Cortana offers location services that are designed to work with GPS applications, like Microsoft Maps, which has improved considerably since its first inception in Windows 10.

While Google Maps has been the defacto standard in mapping technology, the competition is catching up, especially as more Windows users get comfortable with a radically new way of interacting with their PC’s than they remember from the days of Windows XP and Windows 7.

Finally, Microsoft Cortana, and by extension every other apps that are part of the Universal Windows Platform ecosystem, are about to enter the automotive markets, and see integration by some of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the World.

Nissan and BMW will be the first to include Cortana as part of their new car’s infotainment systems, running a version of Windows 10 specifically designed for automobiles, which will include default apps like Groove Music, Microsoft Edge, Maps, and Messaging, as well as the ability to install third party apps from the Windows Store.

Throughout last year, there has been talks of integrating Microsoft Office as well. Hints have been given by Microsoft, that drivers will be able to use their voice to set and retrieve appointments, send emails and messages to coworkers, and get directions to work event from IMAP emails within MS Outlook.

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