A new Microsoft Patent discovered by Windows Latest points to a “Smart Speaker System with Microphone Room Calibration”. This suggests Microsoft is at least exploring its own Surface speaker device. Some of the specs including an optical sensor which means it could be useful in reading attendees at a conference or meeting. It also has a microphone array with six microphones for voice activation. Other than that, this is a patent light on details, which could mean this is an early development.
Microsoft Ignored Smart Speakers
Cortana has been transitioned from a consumer-facing assistant to working behind the scenes on Windows 10 as a productivity tool. Microsoft also separated Cortana from search and she now has her own Microsoft Store app.
