When Microsoft announced the launch of Cortana, its Windows Phone based voice assistant, UK owners were told that they would have to wait until late 2014 to try it out. However, that date seems to have been brought forward as UK Windows Phone users can expect to receive Cortana sometime within the next two weeks.

Marcus Ash, Group Program Manager for Cortana, said on Twitter that “Making Cortana available in the UK and China will happen very soon. Weeks not months.” The voice assistant has been available through Windows Phone beta in the US for quite a while now.

The UK version of Cortana will have a British accent, there is no word on whether or not you can change that just yet. Cortana works similarly to Apple's Siri and the assistant can do all of the same things Siri and Google Now can do.

Marcus Ash has previously explained what Microsoft aims to deliver with Cortana: “Cortana’s appearance in Windows Phone 8.1 is a result of years of work from researchers, engineers and designers across Microsoft. She is a combination of advanced technology across areas like search, natural language and machine learning that Microsoft has been able to bring to life, along with a distinct personality that is inspired by one of the biggest franchises in Xbox history.”

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE. You can read more about Cortana, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Microsoft's decision to base its voice assistant on Cortana, the Halo AI character, was a smart move and is a testament to the popularity of the Halo series. How many of you guys use Windows Phone?

Source: PCA

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