Windows Phone 8.1: everything you need to know – The Verge

Microsoft bets on Kinect-like gestures for the future of Windows Phone

2014-06-09T08:00:03-04:00

Microsoft is trying to cram Kinect-like features into its future flagship Windows Phone handsets. At least one device, codenamed McLaren, will debut on a range of US carriers later this year with features that let you hover your finger over the screen to interact with games and applications without ever touching the display. Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans tell The Verge that the technology, known internally as 3D Touch or Real Motion, has been developed by Nokia over a number of years. Evleaks first unveiled the existence of Nokia McLaren, and we understand the device will largely be seen as a Lumia 1020 successor with a similar hump …

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Clippy replaces Cortana in Windows Phone 8.1 Easter egg

2014-04-15T12:32:18-04:00

Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 update was released only yesterday, but Cortana users have already discovered a number of funny responses from Microsoft's new personal digital assistant. The best Easter egg is the return of Clippy, Microsoft's assistant from Office. While Clippy doesn't fully replace Cortana, he will show up temporarily if you ask "do you like Clippy?"

Other "chit chat" responses include "do you like Steve Ballmer?" to receive a developers, developers, developers reference, or "do you like Satya Nadella?" to get Cortana's take on Microsoft's new CEO. Cortana will also respond to "tell me a story" or "tell me a joke" with equally …

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Windows Phone 8.1 review

2014-04-14T08:00:02-04:00

"What can I do for you, David?"

There's a woman inside my Lumia 1020 who greets me every time I hit the search button. Her name is Cortana, and she's very friendly. She keeps my schedule in order, she knows how long it's going to take me to get to the airport, and she knows that thanks to traffic I'm almost definitely going to miss my flight so really why am I even trying? It's okay, she'll help me book another flight tomorrow. Oh, and she has a great idea for where I should go to dinner tonight.

She's the centerpiece of Windows Phone 8.1, one of the biggest changes Microsoft has ever made to its mobile operating system. She's also part of …

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Windows Phone 8.1 now available to download

2014-04-14T07:05:22-04:00

After 18 months since the last major Windows Phone update, Microsoft is finally releasing Windows Phone 8.1 to developers today. The software maker detailed the update at its Build conference less than two weeks ago, and it's clear the version point increment doesn't tell the whole story. This is a significant update to Windows Phone 8, with new features like the Cortana digital assistant, a new notification center, and skinned Tiles for the Start Screen.

Registered Windows Phone developers can now start downloading the update on their devices, but if you're not a developer there's still an easy way to get Windows Phone 8.1 before your carrier …

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Windows Phone 8.1 update available on April 14th

2014-04-03T13:36:54-04:00

Microsoft is planning to release its Windows Phone 8.1 update to developers in April. While the software maker unveiled a number of new features in the update during its Build conference this week, no official date was provided. Neowin has published a Windows Phone engineering email which reveals Microsoft is aiming to release the Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview on April 14th. The Verge can confirm this date is accurate, and Microsoft is currently aiming to distribute Windows Phone 8.1 to developers on April 14th. Microsoft is tweaking the final version of Windows Phone 8.1, and sources familiar with the company's plans tell The Verge thi …

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The story of Cortana, Microsoft’s Siri killer

2014-04-02T14:00:01-04:00

Technically, Cortana isn't supposed to exist for at least another 500 years, but that's not stopping Microsoft from bringing her to life this week. While Apple has Siri and Google has Google Now - both digital assistants that run on smartphones - Microsoft is taking an approach that mixes the best of the competition with its own unique take. Based on a 26th-century artificially intelligent character in the Halo video game series, Cortana will debut as part of Windows Phone 8.1, the next big update for Microsoft's mobile operating system.

By learning your habits and interests continuously, Cortana is positioned as a personal digital assistan …

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Windows Phone 8.1 brings a new look and a Siri rival named Cortana

2014-04-02T11:46:46-04:00

"I'm thrilled for you all to now meet our truly personal digital assistant for Windows Phone," says Joe Belfiore as he introduces the Bing-powered Cortana voice assistant. Belfiore is demonstrating all the new features in Windows Phone 8.1 at Microsoft's Build conference, with Cortana being the major highlight.

Cortana is very much Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri, Samsung's S Voice, and all the other voice assists software suites out there. It lets you manage basic phone functions, set appointments, perform searches, play back music, and set so-called quiet hours when only your inner circle of contacts may reach you. Similar to Google No …

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Windows Phone 8.1 videos detail Start Screen backgrounds and Lumia 630

2014-03-28T15:49:01-04:00

Microsoft is planning to unveil Windows Phone 8.1 at its Build developer conference next Wednesday, but two video leaks are detailing some of the expected announcements today. While several Windows Phone 8.1 features - including Cortana and Action Center (notification center) - have leaked on video already, today's latest footage shows the new Start Screen backgrounds. Microsoft has settled on an option that will allow Windows Phone 8.1 users to skin existing tiles with an image. Screenshots demonstrating the feature leaked earlier this month, and the video shows how Live Tiles can now be transparent and skinned with an image. There's also a …

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Microsoft’s Siri-like Cortana assistant demonstrated on video

2014-03-04T14:27:07-05:00

Microsoft is preparing to release its very own Siri alternative in Windows Phone 8.1. While details and screenshots have provided some of the features of Cortana, the name for Microsoft's digital personal assistant, a video has emerged today that shows the voice-activated assistant in action. Unleash The Phones has published a two-minute video that demonstrates the setup process for Cortana. It appears that Cortana will require a Microsoft Account to function, and it's activated after a set of questions and the ability to set what nickname the assistant will use to speak to you. Example questions include, "What are a couple of the most enjoy …

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This is Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Siri

2014-03-03T08:21:00-05:00

Microsoft's upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update will include Cortana, a personal digital assistant designed to rival Siri and Google Now. Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans have revealed to The Verge how Cortana looks and operates, replacing the built-in Bing search functionality on Windows Phone 8.1. While the feature is named after the Halo game series, Cortana will take the form of a circular animated icon instead of a female character. Cortana will animate when it's speaking or thinking, forming a personality not dissimilar to Apple's Siri.

Nicknames just like Siri

Just like Siri, Cortana will also allow Windows Phone users to set how th …

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