Dec 17, 2013 11:43 AM EST By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Microsoft is preparing to roll out the new mobile operating system for Windows Phone with two significant changes: a notification center and a Siri-inspired personal voice assistant, The Verge reported.

Sources familiar with the tech giant told The Verge that Microsoft is currently beta testing Windows 8.1 internally. The new operating system is reportedly slated to be released in April 2014.

Windows 8.1 will allegedly include the "highly requested" notification center feature, which will be enabled by swiping down from the top of the screen, similar to the way notification centers are accessed on iOS and Android phones.

The Verge reported that Windows Phone 8.1  will also introduce "Cortana," a personal digital assistant.

Cortana is expected to replace the existing Bing search on the Windows Phone and allow users to interact using voice or text input.

Similar to Apple's Siri and Google Now technology, Windows Phone's personal digital assistant will has the ability to learn location context and data from the phone and have conversational interaction with the user.  The Verge reported that Cortana will also remind the user when a meeting is approaching and how long they will need to reach an appointment.

Other changes that will reportedly come along with Windows Phone 8.1 operating system will include separate volume controls, separate apps for Xbox music and Xbox video, and an addition of Bing smart Search results.

The new operating system will also allow similar social apps like twitter and Facebook to extend the People Hub - an address book on the Windows Phone.

Microsoft is reportedly planning to fully detail the new operating system's features publicly at the company's BUILD 2014 conference next year.

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