AI-driven Archives

Winsage

April 3, 2025

‘We coded day and night for the two months to create the software we had said already existed’: The history of Microsoft reminds me how far we’ve come in just 50 years

Tomorrow, April 4, 2025, Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary. Bill Gates has released a downloadable PDF of the original source code that started the company, which was initially named 'Micro-Soft'. The original code was created for the Altair 8800 using a teleprinter. Gates and Paul Allen developed the Altair BASIC interpreter, their first product, which aimed to democratize computing. They worked for two months to create the software after promising MITS a product that did not yet exist. Their collaborative effort laid the foundation for significant technological advancements over the past five decades.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Finally! Microsoft brings most Copilot+ AI features to AMD, Intel PCs

Microsoft has announced that all Copilot+ PCs, including those with AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra 200V processors, will now have access to AI-driven features, previously limited to Snapdragon devices. Features available include Live Captions, Cocreator, Restyle Image, and Image Creator, though some functionalities, like photo resizing, remain exclusive to Snapdragon-powered PCs. The Voice Access feature is currently limited to Snapdragon devices, with plans for AMD and Intel compatibility later this year. Upcoming features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, following the November 2024 update, and will be rolled out gradually via Windows controlled feature rollout. Users can access updates by navigating to Settings > Windows Update.

Tech Optimizer

April 1, 2025

This Antivirus Software Is So Strong That It Will Humiliate The Bad Guys Of The Cyber World (50% Off)

Bitdefender offers comprehensive protection against current and emerging online threats with a lightweight design that maintains device performance. It is currently providing a 50% discount on its multi-device bundles, including the Total Security bundle, which covers up to five devices across various platforms for an introductory price. The Internet Security and Antivirus Plus bundles are also available at discounted rates for Windows PCs. All bundles include features like File Shredder, Social Network Protection, and safe online banking through Safepay. Bitdefender utilizes advanced AI technology to predict and neutralize threats while optimizing device performance.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Microsoft expands AI features across Intel and AMD-powered Copilot Plus PCs

Microsoft is enabling all Copilot Plus PCs powered by Intel and AMD processors to generate Live Captions, which translate audio into English subtitles in real time. This feature was initially tested on devices with Intel and AMD chips and is now part of the latest Windows 11 update. The update also includes Cocreator, an AI tool in Paint for generating images from text descriptions, and enhancements to the Photos app's AI image editor and generator. Previously, these features were exclusive to Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs. Microsoft is also testing Recall, an AI feature for capturing screenshots of user activity, though its release timeline is not yet announced. Additionally, Voice Access is being refreshed for improved communication, with plans to extend updates to Intel and AMD devices, including the ability to translate 27 languages into Simplified Chinese.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Android users ALERT! Google has an update but you need to stop installing THESE apps?

Google's AI-driven threat detection and security measures blocked approximately 2.36 million policy-violating applications from being released on the Play Store last year. In February, Google removed hundreds of malicious applications that were infecting devices with adware and malware. Over 50 times more Android malware originates from internet-sideloaded sources compared to those found on the Play Store. Google is expanding its Play Protect feature across all applications and the upcoming Android 15 will introduce live threat detection. Sophos warned about PJobRAT malware, which can steal SMS messages, contacts, and files from infected Android devices. Experts advise against sideloading apps unless their legitimacy and security are certain.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Microsoft is asking people to delete their passwords

Microsoft will introduce a new sign-in and account creation process emphasizing passkeys starting in April, impacting over a billion users. New users will verify their email and generate a passkey instead of creating a password, while existing accounts will prioritize passkeys for authentication. Microsoft's goal is to eliminate passwords entirely, as passkeys are tied to a user's device and can be unlocked using biometric methods. The company blocks approximately 7,000 password-related attacks every second, highlighting the vulnerability of traditional passwords. Passkeys are securely stored on devices, reducing the risk of unauthorized access, and are reported to be three times faster than traditional passwords.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Google to Ramp Up Android Security With These New Features for Developers

Google has launched initiatives to enhance the security of its Play Store, focusing on reducing malicious and fraudulent applications. Key measures include upgrading the Play Integrity API to protect users from harmful apps and assist developers in addressing modified applications. Google Play Protect's threat detection will expand to target apps impersonating financial services, with Enhanced Financial Fraud Protection being rolled out to more markets. The app submission process will be streamlined with additional pre-review checks, and developers will receive notifications about policy compliance. Google has introduced "Government" and "Verified" badges for specific app categories and plans to expand this system. Over the past year, Google blocked 2.36 million apps violating Play Store policies and identified significantly more Android malware from third-party sources compared to those on the Play Store.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows Photos gets revamped with powerful AI features and smarter tools

Microsoft has updated its Photos app for Windows Insiders, integrating AI features, including the Copilot assistant. This update introduces a dedicated button for accessing Copilot, which offers personalized photography editing tips and image insights. Users can upload images to receive AI-generated feedback, although Copilot does not yet edit photos. The app now includes enhanced optical character recognition with a "Search in Web" option, allowing users to highlight text in images and search online. New shortcuts in File Explorer enable users to access AI editing tools easily. The "Visual Search with Bing" tool allows exploration of similar images and related products. The updated Gallery View supports smarter folder navigation, and JPEG XL support improves image quality and compression. Microsoft has also addressed bugs affecting AI features and made general performance improvements.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC

Windows 11 is introducing a natural language search feature for Copilot+ PCs, currently in testing. The latest Beta channel preview (build 26120.3585) includes 'local semantic search' capabilities for laptops with AMD or Intel processors, and Snapdragon (Arm-powered) PCs can access it in the Release Preview. This feature allows users to query settings directly and utilizes the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local processing, ensuring no data is sent to the cloud. It can also retrieve photos from OneDrive alongside local files. Microsoft plans to extend support to third-party cloud storage services. The feature will gradually roll out in the Beta channel, and users may need to reboot their devices to activate it. Semantic indexing is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs, with options to disable it or exclude specific files. The AI-driven search capability has progressed from the Dev channel to the Beta and Release Preview stages, indicating a strong likelihood of a finalized version for Windows 11.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Snail Games blames marketing team for Ark: Aquatica AI trailer

Lead game designer Matt Kohl clarified that the AI-generated animation in the trailer for Ark: Aquatica was created by the marketing department, not the development team, which did not use AI in the game's development. The trailer, unveiled at the Game Developers Conference, received significant criticism from fans, prompting Studio Wildcard to issue a statement distancing itself from the project.