Microsoft Shuts Down Cortana and Removes it from Play Store and App Store  

In the latest series of moves, Microsoft has shut down its Cortana app to end support across multiple iOS and Android devices. This also includes Microsoft’s very own Surface Headphones.   

For all the iOS and Android users, the Cortana app is no longer supported Microsoft has removed it from Google’s Play and the App Store.  

“As we announced in July, we will soon be ending support for the Cortana app on Android and iOS, as Cortana continues its evolution as a productivity assistant,” reads a Microsoft support note.   

“As of March 31, 2021, the Cortana content you created–such as reminders and lists–will no longer function in the Cortana mobile app, but can still be accessed through Cortana in Windows.”  

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According to the report, Cortana’s reminders, tasks, and other lists are all now available in the Microsoft To-Do app.  

Microsoft has first launched its Cortana app in December 2015 for both its iOS and Android. Originally, the app was designed to connect Windows 10 PCs and mobile phones. However, the app failed miserably to gain traction despite multiple redesigns.   

A couple of years ago, Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, recognized the difficulties the company was facing when competing with other digital assistants. That when they revealed that Microsoft no longer saw Cortana as a competitor to other virtual assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant.  

Once, the company had envisioned Cortana’s future full of powered toasters, fridges, and thermostats. However, earlier this month, that dream came to an end when the Cortana speakers were removed from Microsoft’s digital assistant.   

Besides, other Cortana-powered devices such as the GLAS thermostat are also no longer powered by Microsoft’s digital assistant.  

But Cortana is not gone for good. Instead, the company is trying to reposition Cortana as an enterprise-focused assistant as they still see the value in conventional AI.