One of the most exciting features in Windows Phone 8.1 is Cortana, the natural-language voice-controlled digital assistant. Cortana is included in the WP8.1 Preview for Developers, which anyone can install on their handset - but in order to do so, the device must be configured with US settings.
Indeed, during this preview phase, the only supported country for Cortana remains the United States, and those who configure their devices to use it will find that the content and results that it serves up are geared towards that market. Of course, Microsoft has said that support will be extended to more countries in the future, but it has not yet committed to a clear schedule for this.
As Windows Phone Central notes, though, Microsoft Netherlands gave a nod to Cortana this week that could be interpreted as a hint that she"s on her way there:
Before you get your hopes up too high, though, we should sound a note of caution. Microsoft said at the Windows Phone 8.1 launch that Cortana would be heading to the United Kingdom and China this year, and the company"s comments did not seem to leave much room for further countries to be added to the list this side of 2015.
Windows Phone UK director Leila Martine also reiterated this last month, telling us at the Microsoft Apartment in London that the UK and China would see Cortana support this year, but she too did not even hint at a launch in other parts of the world in 2014.
A source at Microsoft told Neowin that Cortana support is expected to launch in the UK this month.
Source: Microsoft Nederland via WPCentral