Cortana for Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft has just introduced Cortana, "the most personal smartphone assistant of all." Drawing on the wealth of data supplied by Bing, along with users' individual preferences, connections, routines and habits, Cortana is quick to make helpful suggestions and efficiently carry out instructions, the company says. Cortana is styled after a popular AI character in the video game Halo.

Microsoft on Wednesday introduced Windows Phone 8.1, the latest refresh to its mobile operating system. The update includes a personal digital assistant named "Cortana," based on the popular AI character in the video game Halo. Cortana is the Windows Phone 8.1 counterpart to Apple's Siri or Google's much less personal Now.

Users can access Cortana by voice or type, and she will respond in kind. Powered by Bing, Cortana is capable of learning users' habits and preferences, and can curate and communicate information such as travel times for an upcoming trip, weather updates, or suggestions about a morning commute.
Cortana allows users to set prompts or reminders to be delivered during phone or Skype calls -- for instance, to ask a friend about her new job the next time she calls.
Microsoft has added a notification Action Center to Windows Phone 8.1. Users can pull it down from the top of the phone's screen and customize notifications such as texts and emails.
The update also features deeper integration with Skype, which comes pre-installed. The dialer includes a Skype button, allowing users to contact friends or family using Skype contact information.
Windows Phone 8.1 started rolling out to Windows Phone 8 users this week, and devices pre-installed with 8.1 will launch in the coming months.