Harmon Kardon released new details Monday about the previously announced voice-activated speaker Invoke, featuring Microsoft Cortana.
The platform from the wholly owned
subsidiary of Samsung Electronics integrates with Skype to provide the ability to make phone calls to cellular phones, landlines and other Skype-enabled devices. It supports the ability to play
music, manage calendars and activities, set reminders, check traffic, deliver news, and turn on and off appliances such as lights and control the temperature.
Amazon and Google are reportedly considering a call feature.
The Invoke is Microsoft's first attempt to expand
Cortana, the company's artificial intelligence technology with voice search features beyond its own hardware. Harmon Kardon plans to begin shipping the device only in the U.S. this fall. The speaker
will project sound or have the ability to pick up sound from a full 360 degrees.
Microsoft estimates that about 145 people already use Cortana on the PC and on mobile
devices.