Cortana Lands in China With Windows Phone 8.1 Update

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Cortana, how far to Beijing?

Pretty soon, that distance will be reduced to zero now that Microsoft has just announced it's bringing Cortana to new regions, including China and the U.K., with the first major update to Windows Phone 8.1.

See also: I, Cortana: How Microsoft's Answer to Siri Was Born

Cortana going to China involves more than just simple translation. Microsoft actually redesigned the signature "halo" icon of Windows Phone's voice assistant to better match the local culture. Cortana in China can appear as an oval shape, with eyes, although the alternate form is optional. Her notifications are also more attuned to the region; for instance, weather alerts include updates on air quality. (The actual spoken language is Mandarin.) Read more...

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