Can you use Cortana while the phone is locked?

[TaichiSurface]

I say this because it's gonna be useful if you're driving or when you can't touch your phone. I mean isn't that the whole purpose of a voice assistant? I hope it works like that.

Since it's in beta, maybe we could suggest this feature. I think Google Now on android 4.4 Kitkat allows this.

 

[Games Goblin]

From what I have seen from the videos of Cortana from the build demo and hands on videos, this does not seem to be possible.

Your idea is a very good one. I think they need to make it like the moto x where it's always listening (even when locked) for the "OK Google" phrase which brings up Google now. Of course, the X has dedicated hardware which enables it to always listen, so I'm not sure if it will be possible on current WP hardware.

How about saying "hey Cortana" to bring up Cortana?

Posted via the WPC App for Android!

 

[Idiosyncrasy]

The new Snapdragon chips in devices like the 1520 and the Icon already support the lower power always on voice commands. There's been speculation that this isn't a supported feature natively, but one that will be enabled with the Cyan firmware update for the compatible phones - but remember, that's just speculation.

 

[lorisuzan]

On the SDK if you have your screen locked and you pressed the search button you can use cortana locked. I don't know if you can deactivate that or not but it works on locked screen by doing that. hope it answers your question

 

[hopmedic]

On 8.0, there is a setting to allow search while locked (using voice), so I would imagine this setting or one similar would be available in 8.1 for Cortana.

 

[rockstarzzz]

Cortana only likes you talking about her, if it is in her own forum. Cortana - Windows Phone Central Forums

Answer - yes, with update 1 or update 2 for WP8.1 you shall see that feature being pushed out.