Cortana and location

[lizziej]

Why does Cortana require location services to be on the function? I get for weather and traffic, but I have both those things turned off. Mostly I use Cortana for headline news and for searching, which aren't location services. I like Cortana, just hate having to have location turned on to read the news!

 

[michaelkriss]

Same here, I hope that as the beta progresses some of that will be available with location off. Like people reminders, or setting calendar appointments from emails or texts.

 

[switch side method]

Also I noticed that if you set reminders to pick up milk for example it wont work unless location is on. I guess also she gets to learn your regular route to work and home so she can tell you if there is traffic and when to leave (as mentioned by a few people on here)

 

[RumoredNow]

Local is a whole category of result to any search query...

Web / Local / Images / Videos / Phone

Cortana wants to bring the results home to you, that's another reason for location services to be engaged. If you ask Cortana for "tow truck" would you rather have the Wikipedia definition of a tow truck or the name and number of a two service near you along with their rates?

The more you use Cortana when out and about, the better she can learn.