Could this summary of The Verge's review be a little less confusing by replacing "Windows 8.1" with "Windows Phone 8.1?"
They really are two different products and of course criticism that they're so close as to be easily confused is valid.
Adding Cortana to Windows 8.1 would probably interest some, alienate others, but I haven't read where it's been officially suggested.
Thanks for pointing that out, it should have said Windows Phone 8.1 in that spot and is now fixed.