Harman Kardon speaker powered by Cortana coming in 2017

posted by Cosmin V. / Dec 13, 2016, 3:48 PM

Microsoft is really serious with Cortana and wants its personal digital assistant to be integrated in all sorts of gadgets, including … speakers.

Harman, the company recently acquired by Samsung, is about to launch a new speaker that will be powered by Microsoft's Cortana personal digital assistant. It doesn't have a name yet, but it will compete with Amazon Echo's Alexa when it launches next year.

The teaser released by Harman presents the speaker as coming in 2017, but doesn't offer any additional details: “The new voice activated speaker by Harman Kardon, with Cortana - your personal digital assistant. Coming in 2017.”

Obviously, this will be a premium device, so if you plan on waiting for the Harman Kardon speaker make sure your wallet is ready as well.

Since Consumer Electronics Show 2017 is upon us, we might not have to wait for more details. Harman and/or Microsoft might showcase the speaker at CES in early January, 2017.

source: Microsoft via WindowsCentral

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2 Comments

1. Dr.Phil

Posts: 2250; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

I'd be tempted to try one out. So long as the price isn't too much. I know this is going to be a premium speaker, but if Microsoft wants to compete against Alexa and Google Home it has to be a reasonable price. Or offer way more features.

posted on Dec 13, 2016, 7:36 PM 1

2. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

I have to Echo Dots and I like them. I have a nice Soundbar with Sub in my bedroom and the sound quality from the Echo Dot is amazing. Its own built-in speaker doesn't sound all that good though. This device from MS will be nice.