Quick overview:
Microsoft is integrating the Cortana voice assistant, which is similar to Apple's Siri, into the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 OS update. The catch: Unfortunately, Cortana is not yet activated in Germany. The trick: if you switch your phone to US English, you can also use the virtual assistant in this country.
Cortana in Germany - it won't be official in 2014, Microsoft recently made clear. If you don't want to wait until the German version of the voice assistant finds its way onto your smartphone, you can unlock the function now with a few tricks.
Do you know who and what Cortana is? Then skip to the next paragraph. For everyone else, here is the most important information: Microsoft is further expanding the functionality of its Windows Phone mobile operating system - and is getting help from the Xbox. Users of the games console have been familiar with the character Cortana for more than a decade thanks to the successful first-person shooter "Halo". Now she is also appearing as the face and voice of Microsoft's new voice assistant.
Update to Windows Phone 8.1 required for Cortana
It will probably be some time before Cortana is available in Germany. If you don't want to wait that long, you can activate - and use - the voice assistant now, at least in English.
And this is how you proceed:
The first requirement for use is an update to Windows Phone 8.1, which is currently only released as a so-called "Developer Preview".
With Microsoft AppStudio, which is aimed at developers and experienced private users, installation is also possible without a paid developer account.
However, the prerequisite is a free registration on appstudio.windowsphone.com.
You must then install the app via the respective smartphone "Preview for Developers" from the Windows Store, install it and log in with the previously created Appstudio user data.
Your smartphone will then be updated to Windows Phone 8.1 (detailed update information you get here).
Activate Cortana in Germany under Windows Phone 8.1
The voice assistant has already been installed on the smartphone with the operating system update, but has not yet been activated. Voice control is only active by default in the US version of WP 8.1.
- In the "Settings" menu, press "System",
- then "Add language".
- Then select "English (United States)",
- download the missing language pack.
- To select the language, go to the "Settings" menu again, then to the "System" submenu, where you select "Region".
- Then select the entry "United States" under "Country/Region".
Done: The menu entries will then appear in English. Proceed as follows so that you can now use the voice assistant:
- First select "Settings",
- then go to the "System" menu,
- also switch to "English (United States)" under "Speech".
- A restart is then required to be able to use the voice output.
What Cortana can do in this country
Using Cortana itself, on the other hand, is simple: you either start the voice assistant via the app icon or press the search button, whereupon the input screen opens.
Given the right keywords, Cortana will then read emails to you or check your diary for you. It is also possible to write text messages or set the alarm clock.
However, it is questionable whether this setting is suitable for everyday use: in addition to the language in the menus, the App Store also switches to the US version, meaning that some German apps disappear.
But Cortana will soon be able to do much more. This YouTube video provides a foretaste:
Image source: Microsoft
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
