dictation Archives

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Windows is testing a better profanity filter, **** yeah

Microsoft has released new features in its latest Insider builds, including a revamped profanity filter for voice typing in the Windows 11 Beta Insider build (26120.3941). Users can activate voice typing with the WIN+H shortcut, and the voice recognition capabilities are similar to those on smartphones. Users can choose to replace swear words with a "bleep" effect or allow them to be included. Additional features include Recall and Click-to-Do, which can be launched with a Bluetooth pen, allowing users to access frequently used functions related to files or applications. A new privacy feature enables users on work or school accounts to restrict Windows Search from accessing personal photos, enhancing security for sensitive content.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them

Windows 11 has released a new preview build in the Beta channel, identified as build 26120.3872, which includes enhancements for accessibility and search functionality, particularly for Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon processors. The update introduces Microsoft's 'Reading Coach' app, available for free starting in 2024, as part of the Click to Do functionality that uses AI for context-sensitive actions. Additionally, Voice Access has been improved, allowing users to customize the system's dictionary by adding specific words for better recognition. The update also includes various tweaks to enhance overall functionality, with a focus on expanding access to these features across different devices.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (KB5055642) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features and improvements. Key updates include: - New Text Actions in Click to Do: - "Practice in Reading Coach" allows users to enhance reading fluency and pronunciation. - "Read with Immersive Reader" offers a distraction-free reading environment with customizable text options. - Finding Photos Saved in the Cloud via Windows Search: Users in the European Economic Area can search for cloud-stored photos directly from the taskbar by describing them. - Improvements for Voice Access: Users can add custom words to the voice access dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Improved Windows Search: Users can disable cloud content searching via settings. - File Explorer Changes: Folders opened from outside File Explorer will default to opening in a new tab if an existing window is open. - Widgets Improvements: Notification settings can be controlled per feed or dashboard. - Windows Security Update: Additional details for Pluton TPM chips will be displayed in the Windows Security app. - Settings Update: The printer renaming dialog has been updated to align with Windows 11 visuals. - Fixes: Resolved issues include Start menu crashes, color display issues in snap layouts, slow loading times for search, and voice typing issues in the Chinese layout. - Known Issues: Some apps may not install from the Microsoft Store, and Windows Recovery Environment may not function properly after the update. - Reminders: Users can remove Recall at any time, and updates in the Dev Channel are based on Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Microsoft finally makes this inaccessible accessibility feature more…accessible

Microsoft has introduced a toggle for voice access in the Quick Actions panel of Windows 11 with the latest preview builds (26120.3872 and 26200.5562). This feature allows users to enable voice access directly from the taskbar, improving accessibility for those with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. Voice access is available on devices running Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. Additionally, users can now add custom words to the voice access dictionary, supporting multiple languages such as English, French, German, Spanish, and Chinese.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 (KB5055640) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features, improvements, and fixes. Key features include: - New text actions in Click to Do: "Practice in Reading Coach" for reading fluency and "Read with Immersive Reader" for a distraction-free reading experience, available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. - Enhanced Windows Search for locating cloud-stored photos by describing content, available to Insiders in the European Economic Area. - Voice Access improvements: users can add custom words to the dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Users can disable cloud content search on their Copilot+ PCs. - File Explorer will now open folders in a new tab by default if an existing window is open. - Notification settings in widgets are being improved. - Windows Security will show additional details for Pluton TPM chips. - The printer renaming dialog has been updated. Fixes include resolving issues with the Start menu, windowing, search on the taskbar, input, Task Manager, and voice access. Known issues include initial build version discrepancies and non-functionality of Quick Assist for non-administrator users. Insiders will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Google releases new Android System updates with battery life improvements

Google Play services v25.13 introduces updates to improve battery life and connectivity across various Android devices, including Android Auto, PCs, phones, TVs, and Wear OS devices. Google Wallet now allows users to add nicknames to their passes. The Android System Intelligence v.23 update includes logging for Adaptive Sound and code optimization for Smart Dictation. The Google Play Store will implement verified badges for select VPN applications to enhance user trust and safety.

Winsage

March 23, 2025

6 Windows features aimed at accessibility you didn’t know everyone should use

Microsoft's Windows 11 includes several accessibility features aimed at enhancing user experience. - Voice Access allows users to control their PCs with voice commands, operating in three modes: default, command-only, and dictation. It functions without an internet connection. - Live Captions automatically generate captions for any audio playing on the PC, aiding users in noisy environments or while multitasking. - Focus helps users minimize distractions by customizing notification settings and can be programmed to activate during specific activities. - Narrator reads text aloud from the screen, useful for managing extensive texts, with customizable settings for speed, pitch, and voice. - On-Screen Keyboard provides a virtual keyboard for input via mouse or touchscreen, customizable for usability. - Mouse pointer options allow users to adjust the size and color of the cursor and enable pointer trails for better visibility. Custom cursor designs can also be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Windows 11 Task Manager’s CPU readings are finally getting an upgrade

Microsoft has rolled out an update to Windows 11, specifically Build 26100.3613, available on the Release Preview channel. The update enhances the Task Manager by revamping how CPU utilization is calculated and includes an optional column for the previous CPU value. It improves the Live Captions feature of Copilot+, allowing real-time translation of over 44 languages into English and plans to extend this to Simplified Chinese. New features include a redesigned Settings homepage for commercial customers, a gamepad keyboard layout for touch keyboards, and improved voice access with natural language commanding and Chinese language support. The update also addresses various system reliability issues, including fixes for ctfmon.exe, sleep and wake cycle bugs, and HDR content playback display issues.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Microsoft tests free Word, PowerPoint and Excel apps for Windows — expect a lot of ads

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of its Office desktop applications, allowing users to access tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without a subscription or one-time purchase fee. This version will require documents to be stored on OneDrive, as local file saving will not be available. It will also lack advanced features such as add-ins, sophisticated formatting options, and dictation capabilities, focusing instead on basic writing and editing tasks. Microsoft has confirmed that there are currently no plans for a public launch of this free version, despite the ongoing limited testing.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Microsoft is testing free Office for Windows apps with ads

The free desktop versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are currently being tested in India, featuring advertisements and limitations compared to the paid Microsoft 365 subscription. This ad-supported version includes persistent banner ads and 15-second video ads, and requires users to store documents exclusively in OneDrive, disabling local file storage. The free version lacks several features found in the paid versions: Word does not include drawing and design tools or line spacing options; Excel does not support add-ins, pivot tables, or macros; and PowerPoint is missing dictation and custom slide shows. Microsoft has stated that there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of the desktop apps, despite the current testing phase.