Harman Kardon Invoke Cortana Speaker

Anonymous
2020-03-04T03:48:09+00:00

Okay, I made the mistake of buying 4 Invokes for $50 at the Microsoft Store. I first bought two and really like them and then bought two more.  I have two of them set up.

I love the sound quality (it's better than the Echo Dots and Google Homes that I also have) and I've been pretty happy with them. I use them for listening to the radio (via TuneIn), setting timers, and as my alarm clock.

I have also set up reminders and they showed up in my Windows PC as a notification. That's something that I don't think Alexa or Google Home can do.  Really neat!  I also like Cortana's personality.

But I made the mistake of waiting too long before setting the other two up. I have been trying since December 2019 to set them up using both my Windows 10 PC and an Android phone. The setup app can connect to the speakers and then have the speakers connect to my WiFi network. Everything seems to be going well but the set up process never finishes.

After connecting to WiFi, the speaker tells me it needs to update the system software/firmware and to please wait. Eventually, the speakers tells me that something went wrong and that I should start the setup process over again.

I keep repeating the setup process and the same thing happens. It seems like it is trying to update the software/firmware to the latest version but a server is down or something so it can never finish the set up process.

Can someone from Microsoft please tell me if it is still possible to setup my two remaining Harmon Kardon Invoke speakers?  Is the server responsible for setting up and updating the Invoke still operating?

If not, is there any way I can manually update the firmware on the Invokes to the latest? There is a USB port on the Invoke that is supposed to be used for "service". Can this be used to update the firmware?  Is there a firmware file available for download?

If the server is down, can Microsoft put the server back up again so I can set up my remaining two Invokes?  I received no warning that this would happen.  Perhaps you host the server on your Azure Cloud services?  That would seem like the perfect place to do it.  It shouldn't take up too much resources as it would just spin up when needed.  Please restore the server even if it's only for a limited time.  Just give us a warning when it will go down so we would have time to set up our speakers before its too late.

I tried emailing Harman Kardon but I can tell they won't be of much help.  Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.  These are brand new speakers and I would just hate for them to be useless right out of the box.  And I wish that Microsoft wouldn't give up on Cortana like this.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Cortana and search

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

101 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-08-01T06:43:17+00:00

    Why do we keep thinking next time things will be different with Microsoft?

    I honestly thought with the retooling of Cortana and the massive uptick in use of Teams and 365 where Cortana will be now living would see them double down on her development. I knew they would concentrate on business integration but I had held our hope due to the cross over now between work and home being more prevalent that ever due to COVID that we would see features return and expand. God I was wrong.

    I had expected consumer features would return over time and the Invoke would be delivered with a completely reinvigorated back end. I'd even have been less disappointed had they allowed us to use the invoke in a work environment in some capacity but no they are simply turning the device into a plastic turd.

    Their reasons and their hint at telemetry I'd suggest is a lie, I'd still warrant that most that use the speakers daily are using what is left of her productivity features. I hope Harman and MSFT can be convinced to concede they were wrong and at least work towards firmware with Alexa instead. :(

    I am even more dirty now that there are rumours they will buy TikTok for billions. It would be nice if they had spent even a fraction of that more recently on Cortana and improving her functionality and availability.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-08-01T03:18:21+00:00

    Call me crazy but im getting a duo as well.

    If the invoke doesn't ever complete setup do you think the firm ware bomb 💣 will come down?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-31T22:17:33+00:00

    Call me masochistic but I'd like to put the $150 towards the buying of the surface Duo. My surface headphones will also stop working do I get a cash back on them to? I bought them for cortana. Maybe I can persuade the Sydney flagship store to honour the vouchers in someway. 

    Now the question is which assistant do I pivot too, alexa or google home? I like the Invoke for its aesthetics - all the rest look ugly.

    What a, sad day. I hate the current Microsoft, it's been downhill for many users since the death of Windows phone. Another loyal user punished and tortured by Microsoft for the umpteenth time. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😔😔😔

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-07-31T22:08:01+00:00

    Yes, not good news. And it doesn't help us that have devices that no longer boots.

    However the cash back will work even if your Microsoft account is not for US and you will get the gift card but you will have to use them on a US account or sell them.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-07-31T21:56:14+00:00

    This is not news this is an attack on all users of the Invoke and contrary to what is said I use my invokes solely to be productive. If Microsoft had not removed most of the productivity features I'd be using her significantly more to get things done. I use her daily to control lighting, xbox and for meetings, weather and lists. I did use her for email, meetings and all sorts of things while it worked. I don't want to use them as a speaker I want a voice assistant to power them. Only earlier this year we were assured that it could continue to work with cortana. 

    Why can't the firmware update provide Google assistant or alexa as a feature? Now I will be forced to go out and buy three new voice assistant speakers and will get no access to the cash back being in Australia eventhough I bought all three speakers in the US and the telemetry I provided in no less useful. 

    Another example of burning customers. Zune, windows phone, band, kinect, xbox PVR/TV features and cortana users. Treated like Guinea pigs, abused raped and discarded. $1000s spent and no love shown. The level of hate I have for the current leadership is off the charts.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments