How to get early access to Windows Phone 8.1 and its nifty Siri alternative Cortana
Can't wait for the update? Here's a way to get your hands on it before it officially drops
With all the positive buzz about the forthcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update – which brings with it Cortana, Microsoft’s impressive answer to Siri – Windows Phone 8 users are likely itching to get their hands on it right now rather than have to wait for it to arrive on their phone at some point “over the next few months” (Microsoft’s words). Well, for these people we have some good news: you can (sort of) get the update early by installing the developers’ preview.
All you need is a Microsoft Account and a Windows Phone 8 phone. Get yourself to App Studio, log in with your account, and search for the “Preview for Developers” app.
Besides searching for the app, you can also send it to your phone from here.
Then either let the phone check for updates or go to Settings and click on Phone Updates. Be warned though, using the app could very well void your warranty.
READ MORE: Microsoft reveals Windows Phone 8.1 complete with Cortana, an amazingly powerful virtual PA
Hello, Cortana
If you’ve been lusting after Siri-alternative Cortana, you will need to change your settings to make Windows think you’re in the US. Change your language to "English (United States)" and the phone’s region to the US as well.
Then you should be getting all the pre-event access delivered to your phone – but not before a few reboots.
To find out what to expect from the update, read our take on the Windows Phone 8.1.
[Source: ArsTechnica]
Erna Mahyuni
Contributor 
