As Apple and Google had formes the dualistic monopoly in the field of mobile voice-recognizing personal assistants for quite a long time with their Siri and Google Now, it was just a matter of time before the third largest player on the market – Microsoft – intervened. Along with the coveted Windows Phone 8.1 update, Redmond unleashed Cortana, its homemade voice assistant.
Windows Phone 8.1 has been out for quite some time, and Cortana has materialized on most compatible devices. Even so, it was initially only available in the USA, but a certain workaround existed that allowed any WP 8.1 user to interact with the Halo-inspired smartphone concierge. As time went by, Redmond gradually expanded Cortana's availability to the UK and China as a beta, as well as in Canada, India, and Australia as an early alpha version. The overall IQ of the voice assistant might soon become even higher, as it is about to score some neat deep-learning and object recognition abilities. Just like a sci-fi movie, isn't it?
Okay, all good, but how does one turn Cortana on? If you have been using Windows Phone then you've probably needed less than a few moments to delve into the settings of your phone and spot the option that enables Microsoft's voice assistant. However, if you are a newly-fledged Windows Phone user then you'd probably need someone to show you the ropes around, as getting used to a new platform might turn out to be quite frustrating for some.
1. What's wrong?
Uh-oh. Although it's no longer exclusive to the US, Cortana is still reluctant to reveal her mojo outside the few supported regions. Okay then, let's bend to her will and make sure that the region settings of the Windows Phone device allow us to make full use of the assistant.
2. Wave "Goodbye!" to your default region
Head on to Settings, and search for Region in the System tab. Here, we'll get rid of the default setting and opt for a supported region.
3. Move to another region in a virtual fashion
Once you're here, change the region to United States. After you've done so, your beloved Windows Phone smartphone will require you to reboot it in order for the region change to take effect. Once the phone starts up anew, the region of choice should be the US.
4. Cortana, where art thou?
Well, it seems that everything's prepared for the arrival of the queen. There are few ways to enable Cortana, the easiest being by making use of Bing. Tap the search button and input Cortana, the first search result should take you directly to her own settings page. From here on, you should just flip the switch and unleash the voice assistant.
5. All hail Cortana!
Here it is, Redmond's voice assistant female warrior in her full glory. Now you can use it as Microsoft has intended or just fool around and ask her what she thinks about Apple's Siri. Either way, it will probably not disappoint you.
Windows Phone 8.1 has been out for quite some time, and Cortana has materialized on most compatible devices. Even so, it was initially only available in the USA, but a certain workaround existed that allowed any WP 8.1 user to interact with the Halo-inspired smartphone concierge. As time went by, Redmond gradually expanded Cortana's availability to the UK and China as a beta, as well as in Canada, India, and Australia as an early alpha version. The overall IQ of the voice assistant might soon become even higher, as it is about to score some neat deep-learning and object recognition abilities. Just like a sci-fi movie, isn't it?
Okay, all good, but how does one turn Cortana on? If you have been using Windows Phone then you've probably needed less than a few moments to delve into the settings of your phone and spot the option that enables Microsoft's voice assistant. However, if you are a newly-fledged Windows Phone user then you'd probably need someone to show you the ropes around, as getting used to a new platform might turn out to be quite frustrating for some.
1. What's wrong?
Uh-oh. Although it's no longer exclusive to the US, Cortana is still reluctant to reveal her mojo outside the few supported regions. Okay then, let's bend to her will and make sure that the region settings of the Windows Phone device allow us to make full use of the assistant.
2. Wave "Goodbye!" to your default region
Head on to Settings, and search for Region in the System tab. Here, we'll get rid of the default setting and opt for a supported region.
3. Move to another region in a virtual fashion
Once you're here, change the region to United States. After you've done so, your beloved Windows Phone smartphone will require you to reboot it in order for the region change to take effect. Once the phone starts up anew, the region of choice should be the US.
4. Cortana, where art thou?
Well, it seems that everything's prepared for the arrival of the queen. There are few ways to enable Cortana, the easiest being by making use of Bing. Tap the search button and input Cortana, the first search result should take you directly to her own settings page. From here on, you should just flip the switch and unleash the voice assistant.
5. All hail Cortana!
Here it is, Redmond's voice assistant female warrior in her full glory. Now you can use it as Microsoft has intended or just fool around and ask her what she thinks about Apple's Siri. Either way, it will probably not disappoint you.
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Technology
