Live Captions Archives

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Gains And Limits Revealed

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro does not significantly change the day-to-day experience, as both editions share a similar interface, performance, and core features like Copilot, File Explorer tabs, and enhanced Game Mode. Security features, including Secure Boot and Windows Defender, are consistent across both editions. The Pro edition offers additional administrative tools for enhanced security, remote access, and device management, making it suitable for users managing multiple PCs or needing corporate resource access. Key features of Pro include the ability to join Active Directory domains, centralized control over settings, full BitLocker capabilities, Remote Desktop hosting, and virtualization tools like Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. Pro also supports higher hardware limits, accommodating up to 2TB of RAM and multiple CPU sockets. The pricing for Windows 11 Home is typically 9.99, while Pro is 9.99, with an upgrade fee of .99 from Home to Pro. Upgrading from eligible Windows 10 devices does not incur additional costs. Users who should consider upgrading to Pro include those managing multiple PCs, requiring Remote Desktop, or needing to comply with encryption policies. In contrast, gamers or casual users may find Home sufficient, as both editions provide the same gaming capabilities and interface without performance differences.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Microsoft says you should upgrade to Windows 11 AI PCs if you want to be prepared for the next generation of computing

Microsoft is introducing the "Copilot+ PC," a new category of Windows PCs that run on Windows 11 but have specific hardware requirements, including up to 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPs. The NPU is crucial for AI and machine learning tasks, allowing for on-device AI processing. Not all Windows 11 devices qualify as Copilot+ PCs, particularly older models with lower NPU capabilities. Microsoft claims that Copilot+ PCs enhance productivity and creativity with features like a dedicated Copilot key, Recall for screen activity, Live Captions in over 40 languages, image generation in Paint, and tools in Microsoft Photos for editing. Despite the focus on AI, some manufacturers are shifting their attention to other features such as build quality and gaming performance.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 has been released to the Canary Channel, featuring general improvements and fixes. The versioning has been updated to Windows 11, version 26H1, which includes platform changes but is not a feature update for version 25H2. The primary source for new features remains version 25H2, and Windows 11 follows an annual feature update schedule. Fixes in this build include resolving live captions crashes and issues with the Outlook login credentials window. Known issues include unexpected scrolling in the Start menu and problems with sleep and shutdown functionalities. The Canary Channel focuses on early platform changes and may not correspond to specific Windows releases. Features may first appear in the Dev and Beta Channels before the Canary Channel, and localization will occur over time. Exiting the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft Starts Testing Windows 11 26H1 With Canary Build 28000

Microsoft is testing Windows 11 version 26H1, with Insider Preview Build 28000 released in the Canary Channel. This version focuses on platform-level improvements, particularly enhancing support for specific silicon, including Snapdragon X2 chips. Windows 11 will maintain its annual feature update schedule, with significant enhancements expected later this year. The build includes bug fixes, such as resolving crashes related to Live captions and improving accessibility for the Outlook login credentials window. Known issues include unexpected jumps in the new Start menu and difficulties with sleep and shutdown functions, which Microsoft is investigating.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

Search Live in the Google app could soon let you stop cutting it off mid-conversation

In the latest beta version of the Google app (16.43.60.sa.arm64), several new features are being tested to improve user interaction with AI functionalities. 1. A new “Interrupt Live responses” toggle is being considered for Search Live settings, allowing users to control whether their interjections pause the AI's responses. 2. Live captions can be displayed at the bottom of the screen while Search Live is active, enhancing accessibility. 3. AI Mode may become a separate option in the main search bar, with a plus button (+) allowing users to attach images and activate AI Mode before searching. 4. Gemini’s image markup tools are being refined, including a new tooltip to guide users on how to sketch on images for AI transformation, and a new Text option in the markup toolbar that is still under development.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Android users finally get Android 16 Beta 3.1, as bootloader fix comes in

Google has begun rolling out an update to address bootloop issues affecting users in the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 program. This update is being distributed to all devices, with specific instructions provided for those still facing problems. The Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3, released late last week, included new features such as an app shortcut button and updates to Live Caption, but was met with reports of bootloop issues among Pixel testers. The OTA patch rollout started on October 20, targeting bootloader issues, with patch version vBP41.250916.010 for Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a devices, while other eligible Pixels receive the same version. Google has also provided steps for users still experiencing bootloop problems, including downloading Beta 3.1 and using Recovery mode for installation. Following the reports, Google retracted the patch to prevent further complications. Early feedback indicates that the new patch has resolved bootloop problems for some testers.

Winsage

September 25, 2025

5 Windows 10 features that Windows 11 does way better

Microsoft will cease security updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to choose between a free upgrade to Windows 11 or an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of protection. Windows 11 offers enhanced multi-monitor support, improved gaming features like AutoHDR and DirectStorage, and stronger security measures requiring hardware that supports Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Additionally, Windows 11 integrates AI features such as Live Captions and natural language interaction for adjusting settings.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Microsoft Unveils AI Upgrades for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft is introducing enhancements for Windows 11 tailored for Copilot+ PC users, leveraging artificial intelligence to improve productivity for creative and collaborative tasks. Key features include advanced voice dictation called "Live Captions with Voice Clarity," which uses neural processing units (NPUs) for real-time transcription and noise suppression, and "Studio Effects" for webcams, offering AI-powered filters like background blur and eye contact simulation. These tools will integrate with applications like Microsoft Teams, reducing reliance on third-party software. However, the introduction of AI-suggested actions in File Explorer has drawn criticism for potentially cluttering the interface. The updates require specific hardware, creating a divide between users with NPU-enabled machines and standard Windows users, which may influence the adoption of new laptops from partners like Qualcomm and AMD.

Winsage

September 3, 2025

4 Key Copilot+ PC Accessibility Features

Copilot+ PCs feature remarkable precision and flexibility, allowing users to execute voice commands easily. The Live Captions feature provides instant transcriptions for calls, videos, and podcasts, offering real-time translations from 44 languages into English and 27 into Simplified Chinese. The Immersive Reader tool allows users to adjust text size, highlight words as they are read aloud, break words into syllables, and change background colors for better contrast, benefiting individuals with dyslexia, ADHD, low vision, or cognitive processing differences. The Narrator feature reads aloud content on the screen with customizable voice options, supporting braille displays. Overall, these tools enhance accessibility and make computing more intuitive and personalized.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Microsoft Delivers New Dev and Beta Builds of Windows 11

Users of Windows 11 in the Dev or Beta channels of the Windows Insider Program can install a new build. The cumulative update KB5064071 allows Dev channel users to upgrade from Windows 11 version 25H2 to build 26200.5751, and Beta channel users to upgrade from version 24H2 to build 26120.5751. Notable features in these builds include new selection modes in Click to Do, improvements to the Taskbar with new animations, enhancements in File Explorer with larger icons, and various fixes across multiple areas for a smoother experience.