New Delhi: Microsoft announced two important updates to the Windows platform - Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update. Cortana, a new virtual assistant for Windows Phone devices, is among the new features coming to a Windows Phone update called 8.1.
The updated operating system, Windows Phone 8.1, will come with new phones in about a month, including three that Nokia announced on Wednesday. It will also be available as a free download for existing phones a few months later.
Most of the new features relate to Windows Phone, a system that hadn't received as much attention as the main Windows system in recent years. But it's an area where Microsoft sees growth opportunities and underscores its commitment to mobile devices and services under new chief executive Satya Nadella.
With the Cortana assistant, Microsoft catches up to Siri and Google Now in many ways. You can use voice commands to search for information, set alarms and make calendar entries, for instance. Although Android devices have had Google Now since 2012, and iPhones and iPads come with Siri and can get a free Google Now app, Windows phones haven't had as robust a voice assistant until now.
Microsoft said the feature is in a "beta" test mode as the company tries to improve its voice recognition capabilities. In fact, during Wednesday's presentation, Cortana made numerous mistakes, including offering weather in Celsius when the request was for the Kelvin temperature scale.
Microsoft plans to remove the beta designation in the second half of the year, when it will formally launch in the US, Britain and China.
The company also announced a new Action Center for the Windows Phone system as a hub for app notifications and information such as remaining battery life.
The new Skype app for Windows Phone 8.1 is said to bring the best of Skype on a smartphone. It's integrated with the Phone dialer, so if you're on a call you can quickly and easily "upgrade" your ordinary phone call to a Skype video call at the tap of a button.
Other new phone features include World Flow keyboard, automatic connecting to free Wi-Fi hotspots to save on cellular data.
To enable manufacturers to make devices more cheaply, Microsoft is giving away its operating system, something Google already does with Android. Manufacturers will be able to get the system for free for use on phones and tablets with screens of less than 9 inches diagonally. Android carries no size restriction.
Microsoft provided more details about how the company is making the Windows Phone system more useful in business settings. Companies will be able to restrict apps that can run on phones issued to employees or prevent sensitive documents from being saved locally.
Microsoft is also updating its Windows 8.1 system for tablets, laptops and desktops. Although Microsoft has been pushing touch-screen controls, the new update is designed to make it easier for those with traditional keyboard and mouse controls. The update, simply called Windows 8.1 Update, is available starting next Tuesday.
As for Windows 8.1, Microsoft previously said the update will add search, power and settings buttons to the tile-based Start page, so people don't have to figure out how to pull those functions from the right side of their screens.
New features announced Wednesday include more seamless transitions between newer, tile-based apps and those using the traditional desktop-style interface. The taskbar at the bottom of the screen in the desktop mode will now let people pin any app as a favorite, not just those designed for the desktop mode. Microsoft is also restoring a bar at the top of apps to make it easier to close and minimize apps.
The announcements come as Microsoft Corp. opened its annual Build conference in San Francisco.
(With inputs from agencies)
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