Microsoft is opening up Windows 10 even further to third-party digital assistants. In the next update to Windows 10, due in September, Microsoft will allow voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa to activate on the lock screen.
It’s a relatively minor change, but it does show Microsoft is willing to open up how it handles voice digital assistants on Windows 10. Amazon also enabled its Alexa wake word on its Windows 10 app earlier this year. Microsoft’s new changes follow changes to Cortana in Windows 10, as it moves to a separate app in the Microsoft Store and away from the built-in search experience in the operating system.
Microsoft is planning to make some of these digital assistant changes in the codename 19H2 update, which is expected to arrive in September. Unlike previous fall updates, this one will be a lot smaller in size with fewer new features and changes. Microsoft is starting to test some of these digital assistant changes in a new Windows 10 build (18362.10005) released to Windows Insider testers today.
Once enabled, users can activate these third-party digital assistants from their PC’s lock screen, although given the privacy concerns associated with such services, it remains to be seen how many users decide to utilize the feature.
