Raspberry Pi 3 Adds Cortana Support thanks to Windows 10 Creators Update

If you are the sort of person who likes to build things using developer boards like the Raspberry Pi 3, the gadget has a new trick up its sleeves. Builders will soon be able to build projects using the Pi 3 that feature the ability to execute voice commands thanks to Microsoft. Raspberry Pi 3 can run Windows 10 IoT Core and if you upgrade that OS to the latest Creators Update, you gain the ability to use Microsoft Cortana.

That opens the doors for all sorts of projects that can be controlled with voice commands.With the Creators Update running on a Pi 3 builders will be able to do things like ask for weather reports, time, traffic, or stock prices. The devices using Windows 10 IoT Core Creators Update will be able to run customized command as well for all sorts of things including reminders, mapping, events, news, dictionary,and some other skills.

Microsoft also talks about a feature in the update called “chit chat” thought to be a chatbot that could be a direct competitor to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant found in smart devices of all sorts. Windows 10 IoT Core gaining the ability to use Cortana is a big deal and shows that Microsoft wants to compete with Amazon and others in the smart home realm.

There are some hardware requirements if you plan a build using the Pi 3 and Cortana. Namely you must use a microphone and speakers in your build and there are limits to what the Creators Update supports. The only speakers are the Logitech S150 USB speakers and mic options include the Microsoft LifeCam HD3000, sound Tech CM-1000USB Table Top Conference Meeting microphone, and the Blue Microphones Snowball iCE condenser microphone/Cardioid.

The Windows 10 Creators Update also adds in support for Adafruit peripherals and auto discovery of smart devices you are logged into. ARM PCI bus interconnects are now supported as well. This Creates Edition update is rolling out today reports PCWorld.