Although these are nice features, it is interesting that Microsoft doesn't allow you to choose which version of Cortana you get. For example, someone who has moved away from his home country may want Cortana to speak his native tongue and use a culturally-specific personality. However, Microsoft doesn't appear to have any plans for this kind of flexibility at present.
This!!! All these companies on the leading edge of technology and none of them see to realize that more than 100 years ago we invented airplanes and are no longer confined to the place we were born. I spent a year in South Korea (military assignment) and realized just how difficult it can be to use the internet when everyone wants to use locality based services and not give you the option to turn them off. Google and Microsoft were the worst. I can't, nor will I ever be able to read the Korean language, but Microsoft insisted that the Korean page is the one I wanted. I was bad enough that I had to use VPN back through the States when going to certain websites
I'm glad you agree. I am getting married to a Chinese girl, and I have spent several years practicing Japanese. Though I was born in the U.S.A. and plan to stay here, when my fiance comes to live with me I would like her to be able to use Cortana in her native language, and I would like to be able to use Cortana to help practice speaking and listening in these other languages. I feel like Microsoft is missing an opportunity to make Cortana educational, as well as missing the chance to make Cortana more comforting to those who aren't in their home nations.