(Update) Microsoft's Project Evo in Your Home

 It seemed at first that Microsoft would not respond, now indications that the competition will begin.  This seems contrary to other reports that Microsoft is emphasizing their assistant technology, Cortana, only in systems with screens.

Tech's Biggest Showdown is unfolding in your living room by Cade Metz.
  Microsoft is joining Google and Amazon in the race for your home. This week, at an event in China, the venerable tech giant trumpeted the arrival of Project Evo, a sweeping plan to build hardware devices that work a lot like Google Home or the Amazon Echo. ... "