Microsoft’s answer to the Amazon Echo and Google Home may not be a standalone device. Instead, the company is bringing Echo-like voice recognition features to PCs through a partnership with Intel called Project Evo.
That seems to confirm a recent report that Microsoft was working on Windows 10 software called Home Hub which would let you talk to a PC using Cortana from across the room. But it turns out that’s just the tip of the Project Evo iceberg.
Microsoft says it also includes enhanced security, support for mixed reality experiences with HoloLens and other head-mounted displays, and gaming features.
Microsoft is a little vague about what exactly Project Evo is, but among other things, it will bring support for far-field speech communication, allowing you to control a PC with your voice from anywhere in the room, much as you can with an Amazon Echo.
Project Evo also includes “advanced in biometric authentication with Windows Hello” and other security enhancements, and improved mixed reality and gaming features including improved support for 4K and high dynamic range video, spatial audio, and Xbox controllers with native Bluetooth.