Microsoft has announced Windows Phone 8.1 at Build Conference in San Francisco. It features personal digital assistant Cortana, customizable lockscreen and new action center.
Microsoft has debuts its personal digital assistance Cortana to complete with Google Now and Siri. It is powered by Microsoft’s search engine bing. It also has ability to learn from users. Cortana will be able to schedue texts, search and perform other tasks. Apps can also use Cortana. It will launch in beta in United states when Microsoft will release this update.
Microsoft has also added a new notification center called “Action center” which was leaked last moth. This new notification center display battery information, SIM data and connectivity information. Apps can also show there by using developer api.
Windows Phone 8.1 also has a new feature called ‘Wi-Fi Sense’ which can automatically join public Hotspots with captive portals. It also syncs Wi-Fi passwords from PC to phone.
Microsoft has also added Swype kwyboard like writing option called ‘Shape writing’. With this feature, users can now slide fingers from letter to letter to spell out words.
This is a minor release but brings very cool features. In next few days, Windows Phone users will be busy in exploring personal digital assistant Cortana. It will be interesting to see how it compete with Siri and Google Now.
