Harman Kardon has released additional details about its Invoke smart speaker with Cortana inside, marking Microsoft's first venture into smart speakers to compete with the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home. First teased last December, the smart speaker will be able to do things like manage a calendar, control smart home devices, play music, and deliver the news. Unlike competitors, Invoke will be able to make calls with Skype. The device will initially be available in Microsoft stores in fall 2017, but only in the United States. "We are excited to partner with Harman Kardon to create a speaker that combines premium audio and stylish design with the intelligence of Cortana," Microsoft AI products VP Jordi Ribas said in a release today.