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Windows Phone 8.1 and Cortana's new skills

Microsoft brings lots of slick new features and abilities to its new Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone software including the scarily advanced Cortana virtual assistant.

Brian Bennett
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
Brian Bennett
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Cortana has come

One of the star features of Windows Phone 8.1 is the Cortana voice assistant.

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Cortana front and center

Microsoft made sure to place a shortcut to activate Cortana right from the Start Screen.

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Information overkill

Think Android has the monopoly on information-dense home screens? You might want to check out the new Windows Phone 8.1 Start Screen with smaller, closely-packed tiles.

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The background is up to you

You can now add personalized backgrounds to the Start Screen.

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Fresh lock screen designs

New to Windows Phone 8.1 are fresh and funky lock screen designs.

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Go diagonal if you dare

One of the new lock screens uses a wild diagonal design.

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Add extra textures and patterns

You can now graft eye-catching colors and textured patterns to the once static Windows Start Screen.

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Cortana can learn your name

Within Windows Phone 8.1's options menu, you can train Cortana to say your name.

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Off the grid but reachable

Train Cortana to only let the ones you care for most get a hold of you.

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Shut down the chatter

Similar to the "Do Not Disturb" mode on the HTC One M8 and night mode on BlackBerry 10, Cortana can turn off all communication when in "Quiet Hours".

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An eye on your interests

Cortana and Windows Phone 8.1 will make note of your personal interests in the Notebook feature.

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You control Cortana

Here's a top-level look at what Cortana's Notebook section keeps track off.

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Reminders set around people

Cortana can create reminders around specific people.

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Time you reminders

In addition to having Cortana remind you of things to do when certain people call, you can also set alerts for traditional time triggers.

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Notifications are important

Windows Phone 8.1 now brings Android-style notifications to the table.

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Hunt down local eats

Cortana can search for nearby restaurants that you might find to your liking. For instance it might learn Mexican spots or Pizza parlors are your weakness and adapt accordingly.

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Cortana on many Windows phones

Microsoft says Windows Phone 8.1 along with Cortana will hit current WP8 handsets (like the HTC 8X shown here) in the next few months.

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Catch the word flow

Similar to Swype and Android's gesture typing keyboard, Windows Phone 8.1 uses Word Flow for one-handed text entry.

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Choose your Start Screen theme

Pick your accent color and style of your Start Screen.

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Add a dash of color

Bring a little color to your settings and notifications screens.

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