Microsoft unveils Cortana-powered thermostat

After the release of the Surface Pro and Surface book, you’d expect Microsoft’s focus to remain in the computing world but their latest venture suggests otherwise. The software giant has partnered with Johnson Controls to build a thermostat.

A new GLAS thermostat was unveiled in a YouTube video earlier today showing the first of its kind, electric room thermostat.



The device includes a translucent touchscreen display that would allow owners to alter room temperatures, check energy usage and air quality and see calendar information.



GLAS will run on Microsoft’s Windows 10 IoT Core OS and will be equipped with the added services of Cortana, built into the thermostat.

It’s part of Microsoft’s vision to bring a digital assistant to fridges, toasters and thermostats. Microsoft notes that GLAS has sensors that detect when you’re in the room or not and the thermostat will constantly monitor indoor and outdoor air quality.



Johnson Controls’ GLAS thermostat differs from its competitors such as Nest in terms of its inclusion of Cortana voice controls, but competitors like the Ecobee4 do include Alexa built straight in.



Designed to be powered by the company’s Azure cloud services, Microsoft’s promotional video appears to market this as a thermostat for businesses and commercial properties., thanks to the fact

No details of its launch date price were given yet.


This article originally appeared on The Verge.