AI feature Archives

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

This could be my new PDF scanner app once Microsoft Lens is taken away

Microsoft Lens is integrating into Copilot, prompting users to seek alternatives like PDFgear Scan, a mobile scanning app that utilizes AI for document processing. Upon launching PDFgear Scan, users access its core functionalities directly, though newcomers may find this disorienting. The app offers various scan modes and organizational tools, but customization options are limited. It successfully scans documents with impressive OCR performance, even in challenging conditions, and allows saving extracted text in formats like DOCX, though it lacks advanced formatting options. PDFgear Scan excels in receipt tracking, efficiently capturing key data and allowing users to verify or modify information. It includes a search function with filters for categorizing purchases. While it offers basic editing tasks and signature creation, edited receipts may lose their original recognition. The app features an AI chatbot for querying scanned documents, but its accuracy can be questionable. PDFgear Scan is a free alternative to Microsoft Lens, providing a user-friendly interface and effective scanning capabilities, particularly for receipt management, but it lacks some specialized features of Microsoft Lens.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

Windows 11 is testing Taskbar companions and it might be another AI feature

Microsoft is exploring a new taskbar feature called "companions," which may integrate artificial intelligence into the Windows experience. This initiative is in early stages, with references to "Agentic Companions" found in recent Windows 11 preview builds. A specific string indicates users may manage these companions from their settings, although the features are not yet operational. Previously, Microsoft aimed to introduce a "recommendations" feature for the taskbar to enhance engagement with Bing and web content, but the project was abandoned after the departure of Mikhail Parakhin. Additionally, Microsoft is testing features such as support for "shared audio" for multiple devices and a clock displaying seconds in the Calendar flyout, with the latter already available to Windows 10 users.

Winsage

July 27, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: a new Surface, big Windows 11 feature update, and more

In July 2025, Microsoft released non-security updates for Windows 10 (KB5062649) and Windows 11 (KB5062663 for versions 22H2 and 23H2; KB5062660 for version 24H2), introducing AI functionalities, improvements in Settings, and a redesigned BSOD. Companies like Brave and AdGuard are blocking Windows Recall due to privacy concerns. Microsoft is developing a tool for transitioning from older to newer computers and published a guide for Windows 10's end of support on October 14, 2025. The Windows Insider Program released Build 27909, focusing on minor fixes, and introduced an audio-sharing feature. Microsoft disclosed a security breach in SharePoint affecting the US nuclear weapons department and provided fixes. The Surface Laptop 7 was launched with Intel's Core Ultra 200 Series processors and optional 5G connectivity. The Files app received a preview update with a new Omnibar. Meta is transitioning WhatsApp on Windows to a progressive web app, and Firefox released version 141.0 with AI-powered tab groups. Microsoft is testing a cross-device play history feature for Xbox and reversed its decision on Xbox game pricing. EA announced a new Battlefield installment, and Nvidia added new titles to GeForce NOW. Various discounts and a free game, Legion TD 2, were featured in the Weekend PC Game Deals.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Top 6 new features and changes coming to Windows 11 in August 2025 — from AI agents to redesigned BSOD screens

Microsoft is rolling out new features for Windows 11, with most users expected to access them by August. Users can enable "Get the latest updates as they become available" in Windows Update for early access. Key features include: - Copilot Vision: An AI assistant that can view the user's desktop in real-time, facilitating discussions about projects and modifying settings through natural language commands. - Relight in Photos: A feature that uses on-device AI to enhance images with virtual lighting sources, allowing manipulation of up to three light sources and offering built-in presets. Currently exclusive to Copilot+ devices powered by Snapdragon, with future support for Intel and AMD systems. - Object Select in Paint: An AI tool that identifies and isolates objects in images for easy cutting, along with a sticker generator for creating custom stickers. This feature is exclusive to Copilot+ but works across Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD platforms. - Perfect Screenshot in Snipping Tool: An AI feature that automatically crops screenshots to eliminate background elements, along with a color picker for identifying hex codes. - Quick Machine Recovery: A redesigned BSOD that appears for about two seconds, improving the recovery process, along with automatic detection and troubleshooting of boot issues to restore the operating system.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Google Gemini app gains automatic Android access to phone and messaging data

On July 7, 2025, Google Gemini app users experienced automatic activation of permissions for accessing phone calls, messaging services, WhatsApp, and system utilities on Android devices, following a privacy policy update on June 11, 2025. This change affects millions of users globally and allows user data to be reviewed by humans for AI training. Users can disable these permissions through the app's settings, but the option to opt-out is criticized for being difficult to find. Legal experts have raised concerns about compliance with GDPR regulations due to the lack of explicit user consent for these changes. The data collected supports machine-learning development and may be retained for up to three years, even after users delete their activity.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

How to turn off AI in Windows and bring yourself some peace

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence across its product suite, including Microsoft Edge, Office, Notepad, and Paint. Users can disable or hide AI features, such as Copilot, by right-clicking its icon on the taskbar to unpin it, adjusting settings in the Copilot app, or uninstalling it through the Settings panel. Other AI features like Windows Recall and Click to Do can also be turned off in the Privacy & security section of Windows Settings. Notepad allows users to toggle off Copilot, but Paint currently does not have an option to remove the Copilot button. Users are advised to regularly check for options to disable unwanted AI functionalities.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Pixel AI tipped to supercharge your Gboard with instant edits and more

Google is preparing to roll out enhancements for Gboard, including a feature called "SmartEdit" that uses generative AI for voice-driven editing, allowing users to add, remove, or replace words with their voice. Another rumored feature, "Magic Cue," may integrate with Gboard's clipboard to recognize relevant information in apps like Gmail for easier data sharing. Magic Cue has previously been known as "Pixel Sense" and "Pixie" and aims to provide time-saving actions. Additionally, a "favorites" list for Emoji Kitchen will allow users to save their favorite emoji combinations. These features are still in development.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Google app could level up with this powerful AI feature for Android users

Gemini, the AI assistant in the Google app, now supports video analysis, allowing users to upload videos up to five minutes long for AI-powered insights. This feature is gradually rolling out, enabling users to upload videos from their Android devices by tapping the "plus" button in the Gemini text box. Once uploaded, Gemini generates an analysis of the video. Future updates may allow direct video capture through the camera app.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Gives More Reasons To Use Notepad With These New Features: All Details

Microsoft has discontinued WordPad and is enhancing Notepad for Windows 11 users. The beta version introduces new features such as adding hyperlinks, modifying text formatting, subheadings, bullet points, and the ability to switch text styles. An AI integration allows users to rewrite text by selecting it and using a right-click function, currently available to Windows 11 Insider program users in specific regions. Notepad now supports tabbed browsing and includes an integration of Copilot for summarizing text, adjusting tone, and switching to dark mode.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Google Play Store Gets Gemini AI-Powered App Support Feature

Google has launched an AI-driven feature called “Ask Play about this app” in the Play Store, integrating Gemini AI into app listings. Users can ask questions about apps directly on their pages using a text box located below the Install button. They can type personalized inquiries or select from suggested questions. Gemini AI provides responses that include usage tips and feature explanations. However, not all apps support this feature, and some major Google applications like YouTube and Google Search are excluded. Additionally, the AI-generated answers may not always be accurate, such as providing incorrect subscription costs.