Microsoft Cortana
Microsoft Cortana is a virtual assistant developed by Microsoft Corporation, first introduced in April 2014 with the release of Windows Phone 8.1. Named after the artificial intelligence character from the Halo video game series, Cortana is designed to provide voice-controlled assistance and perform various tasks across Microsoft's ecosystem of devices and services. Initially launched on Windows Phone devices, Cortana has since been integrated into other Microsoft products, including Windows 10, Microsoft Edge browser, Xbox gaming consoles, and the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity tools. Cortana can perform tasks such as setting reminders, sending emails, scheduling appointments, providing weather forecasts, searching the web, and controlling smart home devices. It uses natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to understand and respond to user commands and queries in a conversational manner. While Cortana has been scaled back in recent years, with Microsoft discontinuing its support for third-party skills and removing it from certain devices and markets, it continues to be a part of Microsoft's broader strategy for intelligent personal assistants and productivity tools.