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System Integration for the Connected Home

Harman Kardon Details Cortana-Powered Invoke

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Microsoft reveals more details of its collaboration with Harman Kardon-- the Invoke, a cylindrical speaker promising "rich, captivating sound" as well as the capabilities of the Cortana digital assistant.

Microsoft InvokeFirst announced back in December 2016, the Invoke is much like the Amazon Echo. Its cylindrical chassis carries three woofers, three woofers and two passive radiators for "premium" 360-degree sound, while Cortana allows users to control the music, manage calendars, set reminders, check the traffic and ask for the latest news through their voice alone.

Handling the actual business of voice control is Sonique Far-Field Voice Technology-- a 7-microphone array able to pinpoint the user's voice and understand instructions even in noisy environments. It also features Skype integration, meaning it can make calls to mobiles, landlines and Skype-enabled device, as well as "compatible smart home device" control, although it fails to specify which devices are compatible as yet.

The Invoke is initially available in the US from Q3 2017.

Go Harman Kardon Invoke Featuring Cortana