Despite the release of a few minor updates for Windows Phone 8, the functionality of the operating system itself has not changed much since its release in 2012. Although Microsoft is in no hurry to discuss the upcoming update (Windows Phone 8.1), recent leaks indicate a huge number of changes that should take effect in the coming months and put Windows Phone on a par with mobile systems such as iOS and Android. One of the main features of the upcoming update is Cortana, a personal digital assistant named after the character from the Halo video game series for the Xbox console. According to the game Cortana - artificial intelligence with the appearance of a woman in blue.
For the first time about Cortana became known last year, when one of Microsoft employees accidentally (and maybe not) lost his smartphone, on which Windows Phone 8.1 was installed. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans told The Verge that Cortana will replace the Bing search engine, which now runs on a dedicated physical button and acts as a digital assistant with the functionality of Siri and Google Now.
It is reported that Cortana will take the form of a circular animated icon on the desktop, the color tone of which is configured by the user. During communication with the user, the virtual assistant will express animated emotions. In its work, Cortana uses data from Bing, Foursquare, and other services.
One of the key features of Cortana will be the Notebook feature, which will allow Windows Phone users to control access to their personal information, for example, geolocation data, habits, reminders and contacts. Thus, this feature restricts Cortana’s free access to personal data of its “owners”. As planned, the virtual assistant constantly examines the interests and lifestyle of users, but does not store this data without their permission. Moreover, any accumulated information at any time can be edited or deleted by the user. Based on the data, Cortana gives search results in the form of voice or text responses, and also gives its own recommendations, warnings and reminders. She will also contact you by name and offer her help at every opportunity. Apple Siri behaves in a similar way.
In addition, Cortana will respond to text messages and email, indicating, for example, the date and time of the meeting, in order to prompt the user to set a reminder or add an event to the calendar. A virtual assistant will also select information based on your location. This may include the weather forecast, currency quotes, schedules and routes of traffic and not only.
It also does not do without the function "Do not disturb", which temporarily turns off the sound and alerts. If you wish, you can set up the “inner circle” of contacts, which is allowed to break your “quiet hour”.
Cortana's abilities can be more accurately determined after the test, which will show how well she understands natural speech. Xbox One voice control is impressive, but it only works with a specific list of commands. Therefore, Microsoft is simply obliged to "polish" Cortana so that the company would not be ashamed of its beneficiary. At least, it should work no worse than Siri, the analogue of which, incidentally, is already being developed by Intel.
The article is based on materials .
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