Microsoft launches Cortana for Windows Phone 8.1 to answer Siri

Tech-giants Microsoft's new Windows Phone 8.1 reportedly features a new software named Cortana as an answer to Apple's Siri, Samsung's S Voice, and all the other voice assistance software suits out there.

Microsoft's corporate vice president and manager for Windows Phone Program Management Joe Belfiore said that he is thrilled for everyone to now meet their truly personal digital assistant for Windows Phone, as he introduces the Bing-powered Cortana voice assistant.

According to The Verge, Cortana let's a user manage basic phone functions, set appointments, perform searches, play back music, and set the so-called quiet hours when only your inner circle of contacts may reach you.

The new software is reportedly represented by a circular icon that adopts the same color scheme as a user's Windows Phone theme and Cortana also pulsates while speaking and rotates while searching for an answer.

The Halo-inspired voice assistant will reportedly launch in beta in the United States, with the UK and China to be among the first countries to get it afterwards.

The Windows Phone 8.1 update will be rolled out to consumers in the next few months, but the new Windows Phone 8.1 phones might go on sale sooner, with Joe Belfiore promising them for either April or early May, the report added.