Cortana updates on Windows Phone 8.1 are pushed out to users as and when demanded in the form of HTML5 pages and there is no way of knowing for sure what all features are pushed out with every update, but recent user reports indicate that early Windows Phone 8.1 adopters could receive an update soon with quite a few new Cortana features.
According to users of Windows Phone Central forums and staff members of the same website, latest update to Cortana will bring about as many as 7 new features.
First and foremost is Cortana’s ability to speak your name when asked “What is my name?”
Beyond the regular chit-chat, Cortana will now verbally respond to a few user queries. We are not sure what all things Cortana will respond to but one thing can be said for sure – engagement is certainly increasing.
Users will also be able to import their Stock watch list from Bing Finance.
The update will also see new animations on the Live Tile, including weather icons; modified news layout; new quiz option allowing Cortana to learn more about you; and a “Give Cortana Feedback” link at the bottom of Cortana’s today view.
Microsoft recently confirmed that in order to bring new features and updates to users in a regular manner it will be pushing out updates to Cortana twice every month.
We would like to remind our users that it is at Microsoft’s discretion on which handsets shall receive the updates and when. Further, chances are that the updates are not rolled out at once, and they may even be pulled if things don’t go as planned as Windows Phone 8.1 is still in developer preview.
