Satechi's $23 'Cortana button' brings the digital assistant to your car or countertop
Satechi could have you covered in late August, when it's planning to ship a dedicated "Cortana button." The palm-sized hardware button connects via Bluetooth to a Windows 10 PC or Windows phone, and initiates Cortana's voice-command prompt with a press.
The idea is to place the button in a convenient location, such as on a car steering wheel for Windows phone users, or on the counter for a PC in your kitchen. That way, you can get directions, check the weather, or schedule calendar appointments when your PC or Windows phone is out of reach. (The button even looks a bit like Cortana's circular blue avatar; we'll see how well that goes over with Microsoft's legal team.)
The button uses a standard CR2016 coin cell battery and should last for about two years on a charge. It offers Bluetooth range of up to 40 feet, and comes with both a sticker and a mount for attaching it to a car steering wheel or bike handlebar.
Satechi says it'll ship the Cortana button in late August for $23, with availability on its own website and Amazon.com.
Why this matters: Granted, you don't need a Bluetooth button to activate Cortana remotely, as Windows 10 lets you initiate a voice command by yelling "Hey Cortana." However, we've heard that turning on this feature can drain a laptop's battery life. A proper Cortana button could be welcome alternative if you find yourself increasingly dependent upon Microsoft's virtual assistant.