Smartphones Are Awesome

[MacLeod]

8.1 has indeed rollout out in the UK in Q2 of this year, which as I indicated is when Cortana was expected but Cortana wasn't part of that update it's in the Lumia Denim upudated that is rumoured for Q1 2015 just as soon as MS give it to the operators to test. Only downside is no Jen Taylor doing the voice.

Well Cortana is availble on the newest models but not on older models, as for why it's so complicated over here, the problem is not over here but over on the other side of the pond, as MS hasn't released the relevant update for the operators to check to make sure there are no issues with any software the carrier has on.

This is what mine has to say

Hi all,

There have many many discussions and comments here on the community about the status of this update. We've also received tweets and Facebook messages - so we know as ever, this is a highly anticipated update that all of you are waiting anxiously to receive. And we can see why - Cortana herself is worthy of an update like this.

The Lumia 930 has already received the GDR1 update that includes Cortana... Where are the others? It's coming, but we're not expecting Microsoft to release these this year we're afraid, though you should start seeing them push out to Lumia devices in early 2015... Very early - January at present is what's looking likely.

We understand the wait may disappoint some but with so many Lumia devices out there, it's understandably going to take Microsoft some time to ensure these updates offer a smooth and reliable experience for all customers.

From what I've read there seems to be very few issues if you change you country setting to the US from the UK and download Cortana all indications that it seems to work on UK handsets so something else is at work. From a customer service point of view I would say MS performance leaves a lot to be desired, with slow rollouts of updates or them pushed back months it might make people think twice about getting another Lumia when their contract comes up. It's all very well attracting new customers but you don't want to lose your existing customers who might very well disuade others from buying a Lumia because of what they percieve as poor service.

Some UK users are disspointed that it's not Jen Taylor as the voice or Cortana but rather a UK voice. Which MS says is all about tailoring it to the local market, still no reason not to give users the option of selecting which voice.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, one of the appealing aspects of Cortana is her voice. Well, that's a shame, it really is!

 

[ALF]

Yeah, they are all right for sure but I think there are hours in the day when I like mine OFF.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, they are all right for sure but I think there are hours in the day when I like mine OFF.

Cortana will adjust her settings based on when you prefer to answer your phone. So, as an example, if you prefer it quiet when it's night time, she won't notify you of anything unless it is sent as critical, or is on your inclusion list. It is awesome.

Oh, and as an aside, I know I've been posting a lot of "Cortana" this, and "Cortana" that, but you guys have to understand that I have watched this technology from the outside, having never been able to afford it. Now I have it in my own hands, and it really is what I hoped it would be.

 

[FPAlpha]

I give them credit though for naming their version Cortana.. that's cool as hell (on top of being a cool name itself without having the Halo connection).

 

[MacLeod]

Which is why some want at least the option to select Jen Taylor (outside of the US) as the voice, for the Halo connection.

 

[Amaris]

I give them credit though for naming their version Cortana.. that's cool as hell (on top of being a cool name itself without having the Halo connection).

That is an awesome benefit, yes.

Which is why some want at least the option to select Jen Taylor (outside of the US) as the voice, for the Halo connection.

I hope you guys get it. All I know is that Cortana's only in beta, and she is immensely useful to me. Who knows how capable she'll be when she's completed.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think I might use Siri if it talked like HAL 9000. Although I better not let it get control of my house:

"Open the garage bay door, HAL."

"I'm sorry...I'm afraid I can't do that."

 

[Amaris]

I think I might use Siri if it talked like HAL 9000. Although I better not let it get control of my house:

"Open the garage bay door, HAL."

"I'm sorry...I'm afraid I can't do that."

Cortana will answer you. When I asked her to open the podbay doors, she said "I'm sorry, John, I'm afraid I can't do that."

I think Siri does it, too.

 

[urbandefault]

And that doesn't creep you out.

 

[Amaris]

And that doesn't creep you out.

Nope. Cortana told me that when the evil robot overlords control the world, I will be spared.

 

[urbandefault]

And that doesn't creep you out.

Nope. Cortana told me that when the evil robot overlords control the world, I will be spared.

I hope that when the Evil Robot Overlords come, they're running iOS. Unplug the iTunes servers and they're toast.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I just asked Siri to open the pod bay door. She LAUGHED at me!

 

[Amaris]

And that doesn't creep you out.

Nope. Cortana told me that when the evil robot overlords control the world, I will be spared.

I hope that when the Evil Robot Overlords come, they're running iOS. Unplug the iTunes servers and they're toast.

We'll just use flash.

I just asked Siri to open the pod bay door. She LAUGHED at me!

Aw.

You know, something I really like about Cortana: the engineers behind her had to really infuse her with a personality. She giggles, she snorts, she "hms" and "ums". She uses sarcasm, cynicism, and everything. Her vocal inflections are, bar none, the best of any digital assistant available today, IMO of course.

 

[Mary Ann]

A few months ago I came across this NY Times article about how Siri has helped her autistic son with things such as enunciation and social responses, as well as how it's saved her sanity by not having to discuss very narrow interests in excruciating detail for hours on end (been there, done that...with both my sons).

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Siri sang a song for me!

 

[Amaris]

A few months ago I came across this NY Times article about how Siri has helped her autistic son with things such as enunciation and social responses, as well as how it's saved her sanity by not having to discuss very narrow interests in excruciating detail for hours on end (been there, done that...with both my sons).

That is a brilliant article. I remember reading it when it was first published, and it made me glad that we've been developing this amazing technology. May it open doors for everyone.

Siri sang a song for me!

Cortana gave me a kiss and wished me a happy 2015.

 

[RAMA]

My life gets more and more ingrained with the smartphone over time. You'd think there would be a limit but it hasn't happened yet.

I'm on my 8th smartphone if you count my work phones. My last two were the Galaxy S4 and my current Galaxy Note 3, which is basically a flawless phone.

RAMA