Microsoft Devices launches the Nokia Lumia 635

More Windows Phone news coming down the pipe today as Microsoft Devices Group just announced the Canadian availability of the Nokia Lumia 635. The Lumia 635 brings the same capabilities as high-end Lumia smartphones at an affordable price, plus it is the first Lumia smartphone to be pre-loaded with Windows Phone 8.1 for the best Windows Phone experience, so Cortana is included. Also included is a 1.2GHz quad core Snapdragon 400 processor, a 5 MP rear camera, a 4.5-inch ClearBlack, IPS LCD with 854 x 480 pixel resolution.

The Lumia 635 is available at Rogers and Fido (free for two-year plans, $199 without contract) starting today and is coming to Telus in August. 

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Microsoft throws down gauntlet on personal assistants by pitting Cortana against Siri

While Apple put the mobile personal assistant in the mainstream four years ago with Siri, the competition is now gunning for the top spot. Microsoft, whose Cortana personal assistant is powered by Bing, ships with Windows Phone 8.1 and apparently has a wider breadth of contextual search features.

Microsoft's resorting to 'comparison' ads by showcasing features available to Cortana that Siri doesn't have or can't do. What's weird is that we have an entry level Lumia being pitted against a more expensive iPhone 5s. Should be interesting to see where all this is headed once iOS 8 is released and Siri's new functions are finally revealed.

Skype gets Cortana integration

We have more voice recognition software news for you today. Microsoft has integrated its own virtual assistant Cortana into Skype on your Windows Phone devices to let users make calls by just asking Cortana. Microsoft said Thursday, “Now you can start Skype video and audio calls by simply asking Cortana something like ‘Skype, get Mom on the screen.” The feature is currently available in the 2.19 update for Skype on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 in the U.S. The new update also added more language support (from 19 to 51 languages) and improved notifications.

Microsoft developing passive voice activation for Cortana

Looks like Microsoft is keen on bringing Cortana up to par with Google’s and Apple’s own digital personal assistants with the new features they are throwing in. Marcus Ash, the group program manager for Cortana on Windows Phone, tweeted that their team is currently working on passive voice activation for their service. This would mean you no longer have to hold the search button or tap on the live tile to activate Cortana. You would just need a voice command like when you say “Ok, Google” for Google Now or "Hey Siri," for iOS 8.

Something to think about as we design voice activation for #Cortana. Don't want Jesse sending texts on your behalf. http://t.co/Vq4uXB0P6q

— Marcus Ash (@marcusash) June 17, 2014

Source: Ubergizmo