Microsoft to roll out new Cortana beta and alpha releases in more countries

Microsoft is rolling out beta versions of its Cortana personal digital assistant in China and the U.K. the week of August 4, as part of its Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 release, officials disclosed on July 30.

The company also is rolling out Cortana to a few other countries — Canada, India, and Australia — earlier than planned. It will make Cortana available in “alpha” form in these three regions as of next week. Alpha means Cortana will be opt-in for these “early adopter” users and will use U.S. and U.K. English at this point.