Microsoft "Work Assistant" App Might Be Cortana + Clippy

Do you remember 'Clippy'? The tiny animated icon would help you with several tasks by offering tips and tricks while you worked on your word documents, excel sheets or powerpoint presentations. Microsoft removed Clippy from the modern versions of the Microsoft Office Suite, but the latest rumour hints at possible return of the 'Clippy' along with Cortana. Zdnet reports that Microsoft is in the process of developing a new, small app called "Work Assistant". What makes it more interesting is that the project is said to be monitored by none other than Bill Gates.

The app is currently in private internal beta - which means only select people inside Microsoft have access to it. The app has been engineered to help users perform their tasks more efficiently when using Microsoft office on Windows; and it also works on Windows phone. The app is being worked on by the Digital Life + Work group at Microsoft; which Gates takes special interest in. Bill Gates did confirm on Reddit's AMA that he's involved in a new Personal Agent project.


The app is very tiny, just about 2 MB in size and was last updated in December last year. The app works on Windows Phone 8.1 and is likely to be ported to Windows 10. It relies on user appointments, contact lists, Internet connection and computer's inbuilt microphone. We could easily associate the new Work Assistant app with Cortana - Microsoft's natural voice processing system; because it would bring voice search capabilities to Work Assistant. As of now, no information is available on how the app will look like and the way it will work. We are curious to know how many of you miss Clippy, and how many of you found it annoying?

Source: Microsoft internally testing new 'Work Assistant' app | ZDNET