How to find anything on your phone with Windows Phone 8.1

Windows Phone 8.i brings a wealth of new features and improvements to the table. Some of these changes are meant to bring Windows Phone more in-line with Windows eight. The more closely the two operating systems resemble each other, the easier it is for users to transition between phone, tablet, and PC. And of course, whatsoever such changes would qualify as improvements even if you've never touched a Windows 8 device. Microsoft is merely smart enough to pick and choose better implementations where they see them.

One such change comes with Windows Phone 8.1'south new and improved search feature. The Search push button and Cortana app (The states only) now searches non only the web for queries but likewise the user's actual phone (much like Windows eight and RT). This makes it easier than always to detect specific information and files on your phone. Even the actual web search results share a cleaner, slicker look too. Head by the break to see how convenient searching tin be on Windows Phone 8.1.

Start a search on Windows Phone viii.1 works exactly equally it did on Windows Telephone eight – just hit the Search push button at the bottom of your screen and type something to search for.

Really, 8.1 users in the The states practise have a cool new option for starting searches: inquire Cortana. Simply tap the microphone push button at the bottom corner of the screen and speak a search term out loud; it doesn't take to be phrased like a question.

You might be surprised just how well Cortana listens for your search queries. I asked her to search for Machinarium (a favorite Windows Phone and Windows 8 game of mine) and she understood the query correct off the bat, no repetition needed. Pretty impressive considering Machinarium is not a dictionary word!

Better than ever search results

Once y'all've typed or spoken the desired search term, you'll receive results in several familiar categories: Web, Local, Images, and Videos. But it's the Phone category nosotros're really interested in…

Bing and Cortana tin at present search your phone'southward installed apps, music, calendar, contacts, email, messaging, and settings. This is quite like to the Search charm on Windows viii and RT, which searches practically everything on a calculator or tablet. For case, effort asking Cortana:

"Find emails from < contact name>" and Cortana should search your Inbox for you

My search for Machinarium turned up two results specific to my phone: the game itself and the soundtrack installed in my phone'south Music folder. Pretty handy way to find something when you lot don't accept it pinned, tin can't type easily (just utilise voice!), or don't know where to wait.

The viii.1 Search function does NOT search the Windows Phone Store by default. To perform Shop searches, you'll have to launch the Shop itself and search from there – exactly like Windows 8 and RT. I'd like the pick to include Store results in general searches, not to mention Internet Explorer bookmarks and video apps like Netflix and Hulu. 8.1 can't do those things at nowadays, but never say never.

On the plus side, searching your phone's electronic mail, messaging, contacts, and agenda is super useful. No need to curlicue through a lengthy text messaging conversation now; simply search and jump straight to the part you were looking for. Hop to all of your contacts with ease, and fifty-fifty detect their birthdates if they're marked on your calendar.

Oh, and y'all can search for specific settings on your phone instead of having to hunt through the Settings menu. Search for brightness and you'll be able to bound direct to your phone'due south effulgence control. It's fast and convenient, particularly if you lot're driving and need to use voice instead of scrolling around on your telephone.

Superior searches are near at hand!

Windows Telephone 8.ane has just become available in the U.s. for Microsoft'southward Preview for Developers programme. It will become available for regular users in the virtually hereafter likewise. Whether or non you've already grabbed the Windows Telephone viii.1 update, how practise you similar the update's new and improved search characteristic? What's the first thing you've asked or will be asking Cortana to search for?

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