Microsoft announced some updates to its Cortana voice assistant at its Ignite conference. The new features point to the company pivoting Cortana and focusing its uses on personal productivity and daily work tasks. Continue Reading
Groove Music has formally been out of commission since 2017, and Microsoft is eliminating some of the few remaining routes for accessing the music platform. Groove Music began as a rebrand of Microsoft’s Xbox Music app. Continue Reading
As voice assistants grow to be a more visible and audible presence in the tech sector, the conversation has been dominated by just two names: Amazon and Google. But one of the other biggest brands isn’t out of the action just yet. Microsoft execs are speaking up about the company’s plans for its Cortana voice AI. Continue Reading
Amazon and Microsoft have integrated their digital assistants, which could open up new possibilities for cross-support of features and services outside of whatever hardware brand a user owns. Plans for an integration were announced last year, and the integration is just available as a preview in the U.S. right now. Continue Reading
AirKast worked with Microsoft to create skills for the tech giant’s Cortana voice-controlled assistant on the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker. Invoke is one of the first smart speakers to feature Cortana as the primary AI platform. Continue Reading
Microsoft will discontinue its Groove Music program, phasing out its internal streaming and download service after December 31. Groove Music Pass was Microsoft’s music bundle option, available across its hardware platforms such as Windows phones and Xbox game consoles. In its place, Microsoft is expanding its relationship with Spotify. Continue Reading
Two search engines have signed on for a voluntary code of practice that would make it harder for people to find illegal streaming and download sites. Both Google and Microsoft have signed on for this code, although neither has agreed to take specific action yet. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcasting predictions for 2016; new music careers from podcasts; when companies make the software and the systems; Kickstarter’s independent fulfillment report. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio and Microsoft announced a music partnership. iHeartRadio will be the exclusive digital radio provider for Microsoft Groove, bringing its entire library to any devices equipped with the Groove platform. It will also be supplying Groove’s custom and live radio stations. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Interview with Midroll Media’s Erik Diehn; Ministry of Sound on the business of playlist curation; Microsoft’s Groove Music on Sonos. Continue Reading
Microsoft has renamed its Xbox Music service to Groove. The previous name had caused confusion among potential listeners, many of whom thought that the service required an Xbox game console. “Groove” is a more accessible name for listeners who don’t have the gaming hardware. But the rebrand also seems to be part of a broader effort to update Microsoft’s entertainment offerings to keep pace with existing services. Continue Reading
Microsoft introduced an integration between Xbox Music and OneDrive that will allow listeners to access their own music from the cloud. This updated cloud functionality gives Xbox Music the go-anywhere on-demand listening for entire libraries that it had previously lacked. Continue Reading