AI-powered Archives

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Microsoft bundle deal: MS Office and Windows 11 for $54.97

A bundle is available for enhancing existing PCs, including Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, priced at .97, reduced from the regular price of 8. The Office 2021 suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Windows 11 Pro features a redesigned interface, productivity tools like Snap layouts, multiple virtual desktops, improved voice typing, enhanced search functionalities, and the AI-powered Copilot virtual assistant. Advanced features include Azure AD, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption. Compatibility with current hardware is required, and the offer is not applicable for systems unable to access Windows Update for Windows 11. Prices on StackSocial may change.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft Wants Consumers to Make Friends With its Copilot AI ‘Companion’

During a presentation at Microsoft’s headquarters, CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, was interrupted by a protestor criticizing Microsoft for providing AI tools to military forces in Gaza. The protestor accused Microsoft of contributing to the deaths of 50,000 people and urged Suleyman to stop using AI for genocide. Suleyman acknowledged her protest and continued with his presentation about Microsoft's AI companion software, Copilot, which aims to redefine user-technology relationships. Copilot features include memory and personalization, actions for task execution, camera integration, organization tools, personalized podcast generation, shopping assistance, and deep research capabilities. Suleyman emphasized that Copilot is designed around individual needs and values, ensuring user control over data and interactions.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft unveils a more personal Copilot, leaving rival Apple further behind

Microsoft is enhancing its AI-powered Copilot with new features, including the ability to memorize user preferences, such as favorite foods and family birthdays, while allowing users to control what information is stored. The Copilot will also enable users to customize its appearance and perform tasks through chat prompts, integrating with platforms like OpenTable and Booking.com. Additionally, Copilot will feature visual search capabilities through Copilot Vision, allowing users to capture images or stream live video for information searches. Other functionalities include a podcast feature, a personal shopping assistant, and enhanced multi-step research capabilities, with Copilot Search being integrated into the Bing browser.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Microsoft starts testing Windows 11 taskbar icon scaling

Microsoft is testing a taskbar icon scaling feature for Windows 11 that automatically reduces the size of taskbar icons to accommodate more applications. This feature is being rolled out gradually to Windows Insiders in the Beta (Build 26120.3671) and Dev (Build 26200.5518) channels as part of the 24H2 version. Users can customize the scaling settings with three options: when the taskbar is full (default), never, or always. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced a test remediation package for Windows Insiders that enables the use of the Quick Machine Recovery tool, which will be installed automatically when test mode is activated. Users can check the installation status in Settings > Windows Update > Update history. Microsoft is also testing a basic search history feature for its AI-powered Recall functionality, which will expand to AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs starting in December.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

This simple upgrade is making old computers feel new again

Many users experience issues with sluggish laptops and frozen screens, prompting a reconsideration of their devices. Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, making it a good time to upgrade to Windows 11, specifically the Pro version, which is currently priced at .97, down from .99. Windows 11 Pro offers faster startup times, enhanced battery life, improved application performance, a redesigned user interface, productivity features like snap layouts and widgets, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot. The Pro version also includes remote desktop access, BitLocker device encryption for security, and advanced features like Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. There are fewer than 75 licenses remaining at the promotional price.

Tech Optimizer

April 2, 2025

Shield up to 5 devices from the evil internet with McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection offers a two-year subscription for less than , covering up to five Apple devices, significantly reduced from the regular price of 9. The subscription includes AI-powered antivirus protection, a virtual private network, web protection, identity theft protection, and personalized safety education. It also features a password manager, personal data exposure protection, and credit monitoring. This limited-time offer allows stacking of codes for up to ten years of coverage, but the software can only be added to a maximum of five devices at once.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows 98 can run Meta’s Llama AI model on just 128MB of RAM: “We could have been talking to our computers for 30 years now.”

Generative AI is being integrated into modern technology, with Microsoft incorporating its Copilot AI into Windows 11. Marc Andreessen revealed that a small Llama AI model from Meta operated on a Windows 98 PC with 128MB of RAM. Although the specific Meta AI model was not disclosed, it suggests older technology could have supported generative AI capabilities. Andreessen noted that running Llama AI on a 26-year-old Dell PC could have enabled human-like interactions with computers decades ago. An experiment by Exo Labs successfully ran a modified version of Meta's Llama 2 on a Pentium II-based Windows 98 PC, overcoming challenges related to sourcing compatible peripherals and transferring files. The team used Borland C++ 5.02 for compiling modern code but eventually switched to an older version of the C programming language due to compatibility issues. The project required developing a streamlined version of the AI model to function within the hardware limitations of the legacy PC. This illustrates that even older PCs had the potential to support generative AI.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Minecraft-Like Game ‘Hytopia’ Launches AI Vibe Coding Competition

Hytopia, a Minecraft-inspired crypto voxelverse and world-building game, is hosting a competition for creators to develop web-based mini-games using its SDK and AI-powered "vibe coding." The competition lasts 14 days, from April 1 to April 15, 2025, with a judging period of one week afterward. Participants must ensure their mini-games are at least 80% AI coded. Prizes include ,500 for the winner, ,000 for second place, and 0 for third place. Vibe coding allows users to interact with an AI assistant for coding without needing advanced skills. Hytopia was originally launched in 2022 as NFT Worlds but pivoted to create its own game after Mojang prohibited NFTs on its servers.

Tech Optimizer

March 31, 2025

Add an extra layer of protection to your devices with this all-in-one security solution

McAfee is offering a two-year subscription to its Total Protection service for a reduced price of .99, down from 9.98. This service secures up to five devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Key features include AI-powered antivirus protection, a VPN for private browsing, web protection against harmful sites, identity theft protection, personalized security education, a password manager, personal data exposure protection, and credit monitoring services.

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.