AI functionalities Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft starts rolling out AI to these decades old popular tools on Windows

Microsoft is integrating advanced AI capabilities into its Paint and Notepad applications. Paint will feature Generative Fill, allowing users to add or alter image elements through text prompts, and Generative Erase, enabling the removal of unwanted objects while filling in the background. These features are being rolled out to Windows Insiders, with Generative Fill initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs and Generative Erase accessible to all Windows 11 users. Notepad will introduce a Rewrite feature for rephrasing text, currently in preview for select regions, and has improved launch performance, reducing app launch time by over 35% for most users and up to 55% for some.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Microsoft May Adopt “Windows Intelligence” Branding For Windows AI Features

Microsoft is investing heavily in artificial intelligence to compete with companies like Google, Meta, and Apple. There are indications that Microsoft may rebrand its Windows AI features as "Windows Intelligence," based on references found in the appprivacy.adml file. The phrase "Let Apps Access Windows Intelligence" suggests that Microsoft aims to enhance AI functionalities within Windows and potentially allow third-party applications to utilize these features. This rebranding aligns with Apple's marketing approach, as Apple has branded its AI capabilities as "Apple Intelligence." Microsoft has previously rebranded its AI features, such as changing Bing Chat to Copilot, indicating a strategic shift in its AI offerings.

Winsage

November 6, 2024

It looks like ‘Windows Intelligence’ might subsume ‘Copilot’ branding, giving yet more evidence that we can’t decide how to market AI

The landscape of computing is evolving with advanced chips featuring Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for artificial intelligence applications, leading to the emergence of the AI PC. A rebranding initiative is underway, with "Copilot" potentially being integrated into "Windows Intelligence," as discovered by an X user from references in the appprivacy.adml file. This shift aligns with cybersecurity enhancements and reflects a branding strategy similar to Apple's "Apple Intelligence." While "Windows Intelligence" may not fully replace "Copilot," it is expected to encompass it. Mainstream desktops and laptops are beginning to incorporate NPUs, qualifying them as AI PCs. The conversation around AI branding is evolving, prompting questions about the intelligence of computers, regardless of the operating system. Some users may feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI integration and choose to disengage until the technology becomes unavoidable.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Surface Pro 12: Microsoft prepares Intel Lunar Lake Copilot PC with Windows 11

Microsoft is developing a new iteration of its Surface Pro line, tentatively named the Surface Pro 12 or Surface Pro 2025, featuring Intel's Lunar Lake processors. A source has confirmed the development of a Surface Pro 2025 model with Intel Lunar Lake technology. The device is being tested with a 120Hz OLED display, a haptic touchpad, and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities. It will offer configurations with Core Ultra 5 226V, Core Ultra 7 266V, and Core Ultra 7 268V processors, and users can choose between 16GB and 32GB RAM, excluding an 8GB option. Additionally, Microsoft is refreshing the Surface Laptop with the Intel Lunar Lake processors, specifically the Surface Laptop 8, which is expected to be priced around ,600 and maintain a design similar to the Surface Laptop 7. The rollout of these Surface upgrades is anticipated in early 2024.

Winsage

October 23, 2024

Copilot+ PCs are about to get another exclusive feature on Windows 11

Copilot+ PCs will soon support super resolution in the Photos app on Windows 11, currently being tested with Windows Insiders. This feature can enhance and enlarge images up to 8x, improving the quality of low-resolution photos and allowing for large-format prints or tight cropping without losing clarity. Additionally, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is being tested in the Photos app, enabling users to detect and copy text from images in over 160 languages. Microsoft is also expanding Copilot+ AI features to select AMD and Intel processors by the end of the year. Enhancements to the Photos app include single-click support in the Gallery, improved zoom functionality, and bug fixes for the Image creator and Restyle image features.

Winsage

October 16, 2024

This Windows app brings Apple Intelligence’s text tools to your PC

The "Writing Tools" app for Windows PCs is an AI writing assistant powered by Google's Gemini 1.5 Flash model, designed to enhance productivity and creativity across various applications. It supports writing in all applications, including those without built-in AI features, and offers functionalities such as translation, summary generation, table creation, key point extraction, customizable hotkeys, and a user-friendly interface. The app is free to use but requires an active internet connection. Future updates may include local model integration to address connectivity issues. The app is available for download on GitHub.

Winsage

October 15, 2024

5 new AI features coming to Windows 11 24H2, but will you get it?

Windows 11 24H2 has rolled out an update featuring AI tools for all users, initially available on Copilot+ PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs). Key features include: 1. Click to Do: An overlay that provides quick access to tools based on on-screen content, launching in November. 2. Super-resolution in Photos: A tool to upscale images by up to eight times using local AI models. 3. Generative Erase and Fill in Paint: Allows users to erase elements from images and seamlessly blend backgrounds, as well as add new elements. 4. Improved Windows Search: Enables natural language queries to find files, starting with File Explorer. 5. Recall: A revamped feature that records user activity with enhanced privacy controls, initially available to Windows Insiders. The phased rollout of additional AI features will begin on November 1, 2024, with selective availability across regions. Copilot+ PC users will have access to the full suite of AI features, while standard users will receive routine OS improvements.

Winsage

October 15, 2024

Microsoft says the undeletable 8.63GB cache in Windows 11 24H2 is “a reporting error” — space is freed by Disk Cleanup | Tom’s Hardware

Users of Windows 11 24H2 are unable to delete an 8.63GB update cache through standard procedures. Microsoft has stated that this is a reporting error, and the files have already been deleted, although the Disk Cleanup tool still shows the space as occupied. When users run Windows Disk Cleanup with the 'Windows Update Cleanup' option, the system deletes the space, but it continues to display as occupied. Microsoft is working on a resolution for this issue and has been releasing smaller updates to improve user experience. The situation is less severe compared to other issues in Windows 11 24H2, such as application crashes and BSOD incidents. Users are encouraged to transition to Windows 11 24H2 as earlier versions have reached end of life. The update also includes new features like ReFS and Block Cloning for faster file copying and new AI functionalities.

Winsage

October 5, 2024

Windows 11 is finally getting Windows 10-like small taskbar icons

Users will soon have the option to enable "small taskbar buttons" in an upcoming update to Windows 11, expected between November and December. This feature allows users to switch the size of their taskbar icons to a smaller format, although early tests show that while the icons shrink, the overall size of the taskbar remains unchanged, resulting in a disjointed visual experience.

Winsage

October 5, 2024

The Windows Forecast: The big 2024 Update is here, and more AI features coming soon

Microsoft released the annual update for Windows 11, version 24H2, on October 1st. The update includes new features, particularly in artificial intelligence, but many AI functionalities require the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processors, limiting benefits for users with older Intel or AMD systems. The update introduces support for Wi-Fi 7, though compatible hardware is scarce. Notable additions include sudo support in Windows Terminal, which improves command execution. User feedback indicates that Windows 11 feels more responsive, but the update's benefits may not be compelling for everyone. Upcoming AI features include Copilot+ with Recall for productivity and Click to Do for contextual actions. The Insider Program has introduced the ability to create Wi-Fi hotspots on the 6GHz band and adjustments to the Copilot key. Users express frustration over the inconsistent rollout of features across Insider channels.