Watch video of Microsoft's Cortana in action
Microsoft's Siri rivals shows off its abilities in a two minute leaked video.
It seems to be leak-week for Microsoft's upcoming digital assistant Cortana.
Yesterday we saw some screenshots of Microsoft's upcoming smartphone assistant. Today we've got a two minute video via UnleashThePhones.com of Cortana in action.
The video shows a bit of a speed run for setting up Cortana but doesn't reveal the speaking voice of the service.
The video does, however, offer a quick peek at some of the deeper integration of Cortana into Windows 8, such as Quiet Hours. When enabled, you can specify time periods where Cortana will handle calls texts and notifications leaving you in peace. This can be automated to work during specific times or during calendar periods marked as busy.
Apparently, Cortana will be opt-in, rather than a required feature. As the video shows, Cortana will insist that users sign in with a Microsoft Account to use the service. Once users have signed in, pressing the Bing search button will bring up Cortana as the default search engine on the phone.
Cortana will debut as part of Windows Phone 8.1, which is expected to have an RTM (release to manufacturers) version in late March or early April.
If Microsoft's proposed strategy for Cortana holds true, the service will move from a mobile device exclusive to a core element of all Microsoft hardware and services.