Apparently, Cortana received a backend update recently, adding new animations and features to the service on Windows Phone 8.1. Unfortunately, it seems that some, if not all of these features have been rolled back. Clearly Microsoft is testing some new features for Cortana.
For those that did not know, the Cortana voice assistant on Windows Phone can easily be improved and updated on the server side, without having the consumer install an update on Windows Phone. This allows Microsoft to roll out new features and improvements to Cortana with ease.
It seems Microsoft may have been testing this ability by rolling out new animations and features for Cortana to some users. While it appears that Microsoft has rolled back some of these features, some of you out there might still have it. Here is a list of new features that was reportedly rolled out (via WPCentral):
- When you click on the Cortana tile, she has new animated expressions (for example, she turns into a bouncy ball like she’s excited… really cool!)
- The live tile now has new icons on it – The normal Cortana breathing icon, Weather, Traffic to work, and now the weather icon (e.g. today it shows a cloud with a sun)
- New interests + notifications available in Cortana’s notebook (for e.g. specific news types, traffic notifications)
- New quiz option at the bottom of today view to let Cortana learn a bit more about your personal interests/habits.
- New “Give Cortana Feedback” link at the bottom of Cortana’s today view.
Did you get these features? Are there any specific features you would like to see in Cortana? Sound off in the comments below!
Further reading: Cortana, Windows Phone
