The Kinect will never die. Microsoft debuted its motion-sensing camera on June 1st, 2009, showing off a handful of gimmicky applications for the Xbox 360; it promised easy, controller-free gaming for the whole family. Back then, Kinect was called Project Natal, and Microsoft envisioned a future where its blocky camera would expand the gaming landscape, bringing everyday communication and entertainment applications to the Xbox 360, such as video calling, shopping and binge-watching. This was the first indication that Microsoft's plans for Kinect stretched far beyond the video game industry. With Kinect, Microsoft popularized the idea of yelling at our appliances -- or, as it's known today, the IoT market.

Amazon and Microsoft announced a surprising partnership last fall, allowing the digital assistants for the two companies--Alexa and Cortana, respectively--to work together. Microsoft's partnership with Alexa failed to appear by the end of 2017 as promised, however. During its Build conference keynote, Microsoft revealed that the collaboration is moving ahead, but it still remains in a limited beta. Megan Saunders, the general manager for Microsoft Cortana, appeared on stage with Tom Taylor, the senior vice president for Amazon's Alexa, to demonstrate how the two devices will interact. Put simply, Cortana will run on Alexa devices, while you'll be to call Alexa from within Windows 10's Cortana.

For Google, its annual I/O developer conference isn't just a place to show off the next major version of Android and get coders excited about building apps. Though that stuff is a big part of the show, I/O is also a chance for Google to flex its AI muscle and emphasize its massive reach at a time when every major tech company is racing to best each other in artificial intelligence. And with its emphasis on cloud-based software and apps, I/O is the most important event of the year for Google--as least as long as its hardware efforts are still such a small fraction of its overall business. WIRED will be on the ground covering it, but until Google CEO Sundar Pichai kicks off the keynote Tuesday May 8 at 10 am Pacific, here's an idea of what to expect. Just like every year, Android will be front and center at the 2018 edition of IO.

Last year, Amazon and Microsoft announced that their digital assistants would soon be able to communicate and work each other. Initially, the companies said users would have access to these more integrated assistants by the end of 2017. That didn't happen, but today during Build 2018, Microsoft gave a demo of how Cortana and Alexa can work in conjunction and it looks like users will get access to these abilities in the near future. On stage today, Microsoft and Amazon employees demonstrated how Cortana and Alexa can be used together. Asking Alexa to open Cortana gives users access to Microsoft's assistant through Alexa-enabled devices like the Echo.

As a designer, developer and digital marketer for Mazepress, David Alexander uses personal assistants to handle basic tasks to improve his productivity. Some are quick and simple uses such as checking time zones that his clients are in and converting currencies. Other use cases are more advanced. For example, he asks for daily sales reports and other details from his Shopify stores. Alexander admits these uses are fairly basic, but he is looking forward to the day when personal assistants start to mature into something smarter and more proactive.

Google's home theater strategy might finally be starting to come together. Ahead of the I/O conference that kicks off tomorrow, Google is giving a preview of an upcoming Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker, and it's not meant to go on your nightstand--it's meant to fit under your TV. Google has partnered with JBL on the new Link Bar, which is many things in one: It's a soundbar. Instead of focusing the bedroom or kitchen, JBL has made a Google Assistant speaker that can power your entire home theater, whether you're listening to music, looking for a good movie, dim your smart lighting, or you just want to know the weather forecast. While pictures of the device indicate it has ports o' plenty--4 HDMI ports, Ethernet, and digital optical and analog audio ports--there's a lot we don't know about the Link Bar yet, namely how much it costs and how many drivers it has.

Volvo announced today that its next-generation Sensus infotainment system, which will run on Android, will have the Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store embedded within it. Adding Google Maps has some obvious benefits for drivers while the Google Assistant will give users voice control over in-car functions like air conditioning as well as music and messaging. "Bringing Google services into Volvo cars will accelerate innovation in connectivity and boost our development in applications and connected services," Henrik Green, Volvo senior VP of research and development, said in a statement. "Soon, Volvo drivers will have direct access to thousands of in-car apps that make daily life easier and the connected in-car experience more enjoyable." Google and Volvo announced last year that they were teaming up to build Android into future cars.

When it comes to Android flagships, Samsung is king of the hill. According to a recent IDC report, Samsung is the No. 1 Android brand in the world, with Huawei and Xiaomi close behind. Nowhere on that top-five list is LG, which might seem surprising. LG even had a little bit of help from Google along the way; the G6 was the first non-Pixel phone with Google Assistant, the V20 was the first new phone to ship with Nougat, and the V30S ThinQ was the first with device-specific Google Assistant commands. The G7, then, is a sign that LG isn't giving up.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly influential role in the modern world, powering more of the technology that impacts people's daily lives. For digital marketers, it allows for more sophisticated online advertising, content creation, translations, email campaigns, web design and conversion optimization. Outside the marketing industry, AI underpins some of the tools and sites that people use every day. It is behind the personal virtual assistants in the latest iPhone, Google Home, and Amazon Echo. It is used to recommend what films you watch on Netflix or what songs you listen to on Spotify, steers conversations you have with your favorite retailers, and powers self-driving cars and trucks that are set to become commonplace on roads around the world.

The Amazon Echo with Alexa is great, but it can act a little funny sometimes. These are Ranker's best stories involving Alexa. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. The Amazon Echo with Alexa is great, but it can act a little funny sometimes.