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Google's latest move brings AI shopping a lot closer to reality
AppWizard
January 12, 2026

Google’s latest move brings AI shopping a lot closer to reality

Google has introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), which enables AI agents to manage product searches, checkout processes, and payments for users. UCP standardizes communication between AI agents and various retailers and payment platforms, including Shopify, Walmart, and Visa. The AI-driven checkout feature will be available in Google Search's AI Mode and the Gemini app, using data from Google Pay and Google Wallet. Google is also launching Business Agents and Direct Offers to enhance customer engagement within AI shopping environments. UCP allows AI agents to perform the entire shopping process with a single command, simplifying online shopping. Google has partnered with companies like Etsy, Target, American Express, Best Buy, Flipkart, Mastercard, Stripe, and Visa to implement this protocol. Users in the U.S. will benefit from features like automatic shipping information usage and upcoming support for PayPal. The Business Agent acts as a virtual sales assistant, and Direct Offers provide exclusive coupons to shoppers. Google aims to make AI-driven shopping experiences standard, allowing seamless retailer interactions.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 AI Integration Draws Backlash on Performance, Privacy Woes
Winsage
January 8, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 11 AI Integration Draws Backlash on Performance, Privacy Woes

Microsoft's integration of artificial intelligence into Windows 11 has led to significant user dissatisfaction, with reports of sluggish performance, software bloating, and increased hardware strain. Users have experienced issues such as longer boot times, higher memory usage, and frequent glitches, particularly with features like Copilot, which disrupt multitasking. Outage trackers indicate surges in complaints about Microsoft Copilot, highlighting reliability issues. Concerns have also been raised about AI agents exhibiting hallucinations and security vulnerabilities, with users reporting risks of data leaks. Microsoft's claim that 30% of new Windows code is AI-generated has been met with skepticism due to persistent bugs. Hardware partners, such as Dell, have noted consumer disinterest in AI PCs, reflecting broader market hesitance. Privacy concerns have emerged regarding AI scanning user data, and internal reliance on AI for coding has led to notable errors. Security experts warn that deep AI integration could introduce new attack vectors. User feedback mechanisms have been criticized for slow responses, and there is a general call for AI tools that enhance rather than hinder user experience. Microsoft has adjusted its internal goals due to low demand for AI products, signaling a potential shift towards more user-centric updates.
Microsoft Bets on Windows as AI Agent Hub to Revive Dominance
Winsage
January 5, 2026

Microsoft Bets on Windows as AI Agent Hub to Revive Dominance

Microsoft Corp. is redefining its Windows operating system as a central hub for artificial intelligence agents, aiming to create an ecosystem where AI can autonomously manage tasks and integrate into user workflows. This strategy, announced in 2025, seeks to attract developers by providing tools like Agent 365 for proactive task management. However, challenges related to privacy, security, and user trust persist, as AI agents require extensive access to personal data. Microsoft is embedding AI agents at the OS level, allowing third-party developers to deploy agents that interact with Windows features. The company’s ecosystem includes Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio, which support agent development. Despite having 1.4 billion devices, Microsoft faces competition from Apple and Google, and must navigate privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny. The success of this initiative depends on developer adoption and user acceptance, with potential risks of job displacement and over-reliance on automation.
Windows Reborn: Microsoft Moves Copilot into the Kernel, Launching the Era of the AI-Native OS
Winsage
January 1, 2026

Windows Reborn: Microsoft Moves Copilot into the Kernel, Launching the Era of the AI-Native OS

Microsoft is transitioning its Windows operating system to an "AI-native" platform, embedding AI capabilities directly into the Windows kernel, marking a significant architectural shift not seen in three decades. This new approach, called the "Agentic OS," allows AI to manage files, system settings, and workflows proactively. The updated kernel, partially rewritten in Rust, includes a new NPU-aware scheduler that treats the Neural Processing Unit as a primary resource. Microsoft has introduced "Agent Workspace" and "Agent Accounts" for autonomous agents, ensuring actions are logged and audited for compliance. Communication between agents and the system is facilitated by the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Hardware requirements for the new OS have increased, with benchmarks set for NPUs achieving 80 to 100 TOPS. Major PC manufacturers are adjusting their portfolios to accommodate "Agentic PCs." The competitive landscape is evolving, with companies like Alphabet and Apple developing their own AI-native platforms. The introduction of the AI-native kernel raises privacy and security concerns, with Microsoft implementing measures to restrict third-party access to the kernel. Future updates may include "self-healing" capabilities and "Cross-Device Agency," leading to a more integrated personal AI experience.
Microsoft bets on AI agents in Windows, dusting off a familiar playbook
Winsage
December 30, 2025

Microsoft bets on AI agents in Windows, dusting off a familiar playbook

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Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed
Winsage
December 27, 2025

Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed

Microsoft is facing significant user criticism regarding Windows 11, particularly due to its emphasis on artificial intelligence features, which many users find unnecessary and detrimental to performance. Complaints include sluggish interfaces, increased resource consumption, and a cluttered user experience, leading to calls for a more streamlined version that prioritizes speed, reliability, and efficiency. Users have reported issues such as slow file explorers and excessive RAM usage, often linking these problems to AI-driven functionalities. Community-driven alternatives like Tiny11 have emerged, focusing on eliminating bloatware and AI features to enhance efficiency, especially on older hardware. Microsoft has acknowledged user concerns and promised improvements, but the integration of AI tools continues to dominate updates. The company is also reconsidering its strategy in response to backlash, including relaxing system requirements for certain versions of Windows. However, there remains a strong demand for a lightweight version that balances innovation with core functionalities, as users express frustration over imposed features and a lack of choice.
Microsoft engineer clarifies post on eliminating C, C++ languages: Windows is...
Winsage
December 25, 2025

Microsoft engineer clarifies post on eliminating C, C++ languages: Windows is…

A Microsoft distinguished engineer, Galen Hunt, clarified that a project aimed at rewriting parts of Microsoft's code using AI and Rust is strictly research-focused and not an official plan to phase out C and C++ from Windows by 2030. His team is developing technology for large-scale code migration between programming languages, aiming for "1 engineer, 1 month, 1 million lines of code." This project is part of Microsoft's Future of Scalable Software Engineering group and is not a roadmap for Windows 11 or future versions. Microsoft has been integrating Rust into its products, including rewriting segments of the Windows kernel in 2023, as part of its commitment to adopting memory-safe programming languages.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
December 25, 2025

Microsoft engineer clarifies post on eliminating C, C++ languages: Windows is…

A Microsoft engineer, Galen Hunt, clarified that his earlier statements about phasing out all C and C++ code by 2030 were misinterpreted. He emphasized that the initiative he discussed is a research project focused on developing technology for large-scale code migration between programming languages, not a definitive plan for Windows. The goal of the project is to enable "1 engineer, 1 month, 1 million lines of code" using AI agents and algorithmic infrastructure. Hunt's team is looking for a Principal Software Engineer with Rust experience to assist in this research. Microsoft has been integrating Rust into its products, including rewriting parts of the Windows kernel in Rust, as it aims to improve security and reduce programming errors. However, Hunt noted that Rust is not necessarily the final destination for all Microsoft code.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
December 24, 2025

Microsoft engineer says Windows isn’t being rewritten to Rust with AI

Galen Hunt, a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, has proposed to eliminate all C and C++ code within the company, focusing on transitioning to Rust. This initiative aims to address technical debt and improve memory safety, as C and C++ are responsible for approximately 70% of vulnerabilities in Microsoft products. Microsoft plans to leverage AI and modern tooling to facilitate this transition, which includes rewriting portions of the Windows kernel in Rust. Hunt is seeking a Principal Software Engineer with Rust expertise to support this effort. The adoption of Rust is growing globally, with a reported 2.3 million developers using it, and major tech companies are increasingly integrating it into their infrastructure.
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