A walkthrough of Cortana on Windows Phone 8.1, showing voice commands to set reminders, find restaurants, launch apps, and send messages. The live tile displays personalized interests like Windows Phone and Super Smash Bros, plus weather and quick access to reminders.
One of the most anticipated features on Windows Phone 8.1 is Cortana. So let's give her a go. Cortana, what is the best smartphone?
Oh, come on, Chief. Windows Phone.
What's cool about Cortana is she can integrate in apps that you already have. For example, Twitter, new tweet.
Starting Twitter.
Recording a video on Cortana.
Heard you say recording a video on Cortana.
Another cool feature about Cortana are the reminders you can set. Let's try one. Cortana, remind me in an hour to start my laundry.
Remind you to start my laundry at 2:19 PM today. Sound good?
Yes. Although, Cortana, I don't want to be doing your laundry, I want to be doing my laundry. It'd be a cool feature if she said "your" instead of "my," but that might be asking a little bit too much for now. She's still in beta, do you remember? Next time I see Donald Kimball, remind me to tell him to upgrade his phone.
Okay, next time you talk to Donald Kimball, I can remind you to tell him to upgrade his phone. Sound good?
Yeah.
Sure thing.
I love the people reminding feature. It's actually very useful. This is something else that I found that I really enjoyed. Cortana, show me Japanese restaurants.
Here are 10 Japanese restaurants.
What time does option number 4 open?
Dozo Japanese Sushi Dining and Bar is open today from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Get me directions.
Okay, getting you directions to Dozo Japanese Sushi Dining and Bar.
Then it opens right up into here. Drive. Which is pretty awesome. Now what's cool about Cortana's live tile is it can show you information relevant to you. For example, Cortana knows that I'm interested in Windows Phone and Super Smash Bros. So she shows me the most current information pertaining to those topics. On the bottom we have weather around my area. On the top right here, if you tap this icon, you can go to the reminders that you set earlier. And view a list of all the reminders that you've set. So here's the start my laundry one I had earlier. What's great is you can add information like, "Remember to bring your card." And you can also play back what you said. Cortana, remind me in an hour to start my laundry. In case you added details that Cortana missed. I think that's personally a pretty cool feature. You can always adjust the time to exactly when you want. And there it is with some added information. If you really like the reminders feature, you can pin it to your home screen as its separate app. I hope you enjoyed getting just a glimpse of what Cortana can do. If you'd like to know more or experience some of her awesomeness yourself, consider downloading the developer preview today. There are instructions on my website on how to do that. Thanks a lot, and consider subscribing. Text Satya Nadella. I hear the new CEO of Microsoft is a pretty cool guy.
Alright, I'll text Satya Nadella. I hear the new CEO of Microsoft is a pretty cool guy. Send it? Add more? Or try again?
Send it.
Message sent.
