Later today, Microsoft will begin rolling out an update to the Windows Phone Developer Preview Program that makes Cortana available in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain as an "alpha". Microsoft inoroduced Cortana as a beta as part of Windows Phone 8.1 in the U.S. this past spring. With the Windows Phone 8.1 Update announced last summer, the company extended Cortana’s availability as a beta into China and the U.K.

The "Alpha" version coming today in more European countries means most of the features in the beta version are available but some are missing or coming soon. For example, flight tracking is not available at this time for alpha. Transit data is currently limited to larger cities and will expand soon. Additionally, reference data (e.g. "How tall is Mt. Everest") is also not available – but Microsoft is working to enable this soon. Microsoft has also tailored Cortana’s personality in each language (with local chit chat and jokes) to make her more locally and culturally relevant. Cortana will also show European football (or as we Americans call "soccer") league data, including Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and La Liga.

Cortana will be available through the Windows Phone Developer Preview Program first. Over time, Microsoft is planning to make Cortana available as a beta in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain just like in the U.S., China, and U.K.