Enhancing Communication Archives

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Final Windows 11 Dev Channel build of 2024 adds support for live captions and real-time translation to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Windows 11 Build 26120.2705 introduces real-time translation and live captions for Copilot+ PCs powered by AMD and Intel processors, expanding features previously exclusive to Qualcomm Snapdragon devices. Users can access these functionalities by installing the latest build and ensuring their drivers are updated through Windows Update. The live captions feature translates over 44 languages into English, enhancing communication during video calls and streamed content. Additionally, real-time translation support for Snapdragon-powered PCs now includes Chinese (Simplified), with an expanded range of supported languages.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

The objectively best AI tool on Copilot+ PCs is arriving on AMD and Intel chips

Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot+ PCs with upgraded live captions and translation features, allowing real-time translation for over 44 languages. This capability is designed to improve communication during video calls, recordings, and streamed content. The feature is available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs and requires enrollment in the Windows 11 Dev channel for access.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Quest v72 Brings Improved Hand Tracking & Keyboard Cutout

Meta Quest v72 is being rolled out to users, featuring improved hand tracking capabilities with the upgraded Hand Tracking 2.3 model, which enhances stability, accuracy, and reduces latency. Key improvements include a more stable hand cursor, better cursor stabilization during pinching, improved pinch-and-drag responsiveness, easier hand use in confined spaces, and a new hand ray visualization. The update also introduces experimental integration with Windows 11, a passthrough cutout feature for any keyboard, automatic call captions for live transcripts during calls, a Travel Mode indicator to prevent accidental activation, a streamlined home environment that defaults to a stationary boundary, and integration of direct messaging in the Instagram app on Horizon OS.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

Empowering small businesses: The best Android apps for efficiency

Small business owners often face numerous responsibilities and increasingly rely on Android applications to streamline operations. - SpotOn: A POS system that offers online takeaway ordering, flat-rate DoorDash delivery, QR code functionality, and a dashboard for monitoring sales and customer preferences. - QuickBooks: An accounting app that simplifies expense tracking, invoice generation, cash flow monitoring, payroll management, and tax calculations, reducing accounting errors. - Asana: A project management tool that enhances team collaboration, task visibility, and integrates with tools like Slack and Google Workspace. - Trello: A visual task management app that allows users to create, assign, and prioritize tasks using customizable boards and a drag-and-drop interface. - Zoho Inventory: An inventory management app that tracks stock levels, manages orders, and monitors shipments, compatible with e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopify. - Canva: A design app that enables users to create professional-quality marketing materials with templates and user-friendly tools. - Slack: A communication app that organizes team interactions through channels, reducing reliance on email and integrating with productivity tools. - Google My Business: A tool for managing online listings, responding to reviews, and updating business information to enhance visibility. - Square Appointments: An appointment scheduling app that simplifies booking, sends reminders, and syncs calendars to improve time management.

Winsage

October 13, 2024

Windows Insider Program is 10 years old, here are five things I want Microsoft to change

The Windows Insider Program was launched on September 30, 2014, allowing users to test and provide feedback on preview builds of Windows. Initially, it offered a simple choice between Fast Ring and Slow Ring, but has since expanded to four channels: Canary, Dev, Beta, and Release Preview, creating confusion for users. The deployment of features has become inconsistent, with some features appearing in unexpected channels, leading to dissatisfaction. The program now includes a toggle for updates that complicates the experience, and the trend of gradual rollouts contrasts with its original intent of bold experimentation. Communication about changes and bugs has been lacking, leaving insiders uninformed. The excitement of new builds has diminished, and the recent 10th anniversary celebration was seen as underwhelming. Suggestions for improvement include simplifying the channel structure, enhancing communication, and reintroducing incentives to engage users.

Winsage

September 7, 2024

A new ChromeOS update brings a touch of Windows 11 to Chromebooks

Google has begun the rollout of ChromeOS 128 across all supported Chromebooks, introducing several new features and enhancements. Key additions include: - Snap Groups feature for split-screen multitasking, allowing users to pair and manage two windows. - Integration of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in the Camera app, enabling text recognition from physical documents, supporting 77 languages, and allowing text searches and read-aloud functionality. - Improvements to the Magnifier tool, which now works with ChromeVox for better navigation for visually impaired users. - Introduction of Audio Gain Control to optimize microphone volume during video calls. - Simplified privacy controls for cameras and microphones, consolidating permissions management in one location within the Settings menu. Chromebooks automatically check for updates, and users can manually check for updates through the Settings menu.

AppWizard

August 20, 2024

Google might pair Pixel Screenshots with Circle to Search for rediscovery

An APK dive has revealed that Google's integration of Pixel Screenshots into the Circle to Search feature allows users to save and revisit images easily. Users can highlight an area on their screens and use a "Save" button to store images, which are automatically organized and can be queried for tailored insights using Gemini's AI. The Pixel Screenshots app debuted with other Pixel 9 AI functionalities, such as "Call Notes" and Gemini Live. The app recognizes the context of the screenshot, prompting users to research related topics. Google showcased these features during a recent event, highlighting Gemini Live's capabilities and the introduction of text-to-image generation for Messages and Gmail.

AppWizard

August 16, 2024

Zendesk Teams with Meta to Launch Customer Messaging App

Zendesk has expanded its collaboration with Meta by launching a new outbound customer messaging application called Relay, available through the Zendesk Marketplace. Relay allows businesses to proactively message customers via WhatsApp and SMS, enhancing communication and customer interactions within the Zendesk platform. The app uses dynamic content and audience data to create personalized messages and enables the creation of custom messaging templates that require approval from Meta. Zendesk aims to improve customer loyalty and satisfaction through timely and relevant communications. Additionally, Zendesk has launched a venture arm focused on investing in early-stage AI startups, committing "tens of millions of dollars" to enhance its integrations and support AI growth. Meanwhile, Meta has introduced new WhatsApp Business features, including an AI assistant and enhancements to improve business-customer interactions, as over 50 million companies use the platform, leading to significant increases in sales and customer service standards.

Winsage

May 29, 2024

Microsoft Copilot now works directly in my favorite messaging app

Microsoft has expanded Copilot, its AI-powered tool, by partnering with Telegram, allowing users to interact with Copilot directly through the Telegram app.

AppWizard

May 15, 2024

Android users are in for a major AI boost in the coming months

Google has introduced new software innovations to enhance communication and learning. One feature detects phishing and spam calls in real-time, advising users to end the call. Another feature, Circle to Search, acts as a virtual tutor to simplify complex problems with real-life examples. The Talk Back feature now provides detailed descriptions of images for visually impaired users. Gemini 1.5 allows users to create and integrate images into applications. The "Ask this video" feature enables users to explore multimedia content by pausing YouTube videos. Google's AI-centric approach aims to enrich lives with practical tools. The union of Gemini Nano and Multimodality enhances the TalkBack option for a multi-sensory understanding of text, sounds, and spoken language. Android users can anticipate smarter, educational, and protective devices in the future.