Voice Clarity Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Google preps a feature to keep users in ‘clear voice’ in the Recorder app

Google is enhancing its Recorder app with a new "clear voice" feature to minimize background noise and improve voice clarity. The app has also introduced a "summarize" function on the Pixel 8, allowing users to obtain concise summaries of audio recordings. The Recorder app debuted on Chromebooks in November, offering functionalities like speech-to-text generation and title suggestions. It utilizes Google's advanced large language model (LLM) for improved user experience. Pixel devices now have a "Transcribe again" tool for re-transcribing recordings in 42 languages, with cloud processing for quick transcription results.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft slams the brakes on its new Windows 11 update after it caused some PCs to crash and broke webcams

Microsoft has paused the deployment of the Windows 11 update 24H2 for specific hardware configurations due to technical challenges. PCs with Intel Z890 motherboards are significantly affected, experiencing issues such as reboot cycles and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. Similar problems have been reported with motherboards from MSI and Gigabyte. Users have found a temporary workaround by disabling integrated graphics in BIOS settings. ASUS laptop models X415KA and X515KA also face BSOD errors post-update, and users of the Voicemeeter application report crashes. Devices with integrated cameras have malfunctioned, affecting features like object and face detection. Microsoft advises against manually installing the update on blocked devices. For successful installations, the update includes enhancements like a new Copilot AI assistant, support for 7z and TAR compression in File Explorer, improved security features, and system-wide support for Wi-Fi 7.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

Microsoft heard you like Windows updates, so it updated how updates update

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 version 24H2, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, which includes improvements to the update installation process, resulting in a 45.6% faster installation, 39.7% quicker restart times, and a 15.3% decrease in CPU consumption compared to version 22H2. Key enhancements include parallel processing of component manifests, optimized reading and parsing of component manifests, and scalable use of available RAM. Traditional feature updates are now approximately 200 MB smaller due to certain inbox applications being updated through the Microsoft Store. Notable features in the update include: - Integration of Phone Link with the Start menu. - Simplified layout for the taskbar system tray. - Revamped Quick Settings for improved speed and customization. - Windows Spotlight image as the default wallpaper. - Animated taskbar app preview thumbnails. - Support for HDR images as desktop wallpapers. File Explorer updates include: - Updated home tab layout with shared documents. - Ability to duplicate tabs via right-click. - Enhanced context menu layout. - Support for .7z and .TAR archive formats. - Direct viewing of Android phone file systems. New apps and features include: - A new Outlook app for email, calendar, and contacts. - Updated Copilot as a standalone web application. - AI features in Photos for generative erase and background editing. - A new Recall app for information retrieval using AI. - Paint with generative AI capabilities. Settings updates include: - Windows Update with checkpoints and hot patching. - Voice Clarity using AI to eliminate background noise. - Simultaneous configuration of power settings. - A new Energy Saver mode. - Configurable mouse scroll wheel direction. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 hardware. - A new PRISM emulation layer for x86 apps on Arm devices. - Enhanced performance for Arm-based devices. - AutoSR using AI to improve gaming performance. - Live Captions translating languages into English in real-time. - Advanced Windows Studio Effects for webcam enhancement.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

The New Windows 11 24H2 Version Is Out, Here’s What’s Changed on Our Computers – Jason Deegan

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Version 24H2, featuring significant updates including: - Enhanced Energy Saver Mode that optimizes battery life for laptops by limiting background processes and reducing CPU usage. - Improved smartphone integration through the updated "Phone Link" app, allowing smartphones to be used as webcams and providing quick access to mobile app features from the desktop. - A more customizable Start menu, enabling users to pin applications to the taskbar and access Microsoft account information directly. - Noteworthy enhancements to File Explorer, including native support for 7zip and TAR formats, performance optimizations for ZIP file extraction, and improved navigation features. - A more user-friendly Quick Settings menu with easier scrolling, customizable arrangements, and a refresh button for Wi-Fi networks. - Support for HDR wallpapers, allowing the use of .JXR format images and automatic adjustments between HDR and SDR displays. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, enhancing connectivity options and introducing features for hearing aid users. - Voice Clarity feature that reduces background noise during voice calls using AI technology. - New Copilot+ features, including voice interaction, personalized news summaries, enhanced AI capabilities for complex queries, smarter browsing in Edge, and improved memory function for sensitive data. Users can manually initiate the update by navigating to Settings > Update & Security if it does not prompt automatically.

Winsage

October 10, 2024

Windows 11 bug steals 8.63GB of storage space that you can’t get back

Users of the Windows 11 2024 Update are facing a storage issue where an 8.63GB set of files remains on their systems, found in the "Windows Update Cleanup" section of Temporary files. This problem has been reported widely across forums and confirmed through tests on multiple PCs. Despite this storage challenge, the update introduces several enhancements, including a revamped File Explorer, improved multitasking features, new archive formats, seamless access to Android file systems, an upgraded Outlook app, enhanced Photos app capabilities, optimized Windows Update processes, AI-driven Voice Clarity technology, customizable power settings, support for Wi-Fi 7 hardware, and various improvements to the Taskbar and Quick Settings.

Winsage

October 6, 2024

Controversial artist ironically seeks millions of dollars in compensation for AI-generated collections as OpenAI sidesteps bankruptcy with $6.6 billion in funding from Microsoft and NVIDIA

Jason M. Allen, an artist, claimed that "art is dead" after winning a digital art competition with a piece generated by Midjourney, sparking debates on the ownership and ethics of AI-generated artwork. Microsoft rolled out a major update for Windows 11, elevating it to version 24H2, which includes new features, performance enhancements, and improved support for Arm devices. Key enhancements include a revamped File Explorer, the ability to duplicate tabs, an improved context menu, support for new archive formats, direct access to Android file systems, a new Outlook app, updates to Microsoft Copilot, AI-enhanced features in Photos, faster Windows updates, Voice Clarity technology, energy-saving configurations, Wi-Fi 7 support, and Phone Link integration into the Start menu. OpenAI raised .6 billion from NVIDIA and Microsoft, increasing its valuation to billion, while requesting investors not to support competing AI firms. Microsoft unveiled Office 2024, a standalone suite available for a one-time purchase, featuring a refreshed interface and enhancements over Office 2021. Reviews highlighted the ASUS ProArt PX13 laptop for its innovative touchpad design and the Razer Kraken V4 headset for comfort and sound quality. The expansion for Starfield, titled Shattered Space, received mixed reactions from players. Early discounts are available ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event starting on October 8, 2024, with retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy offering competitive pricing.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

In Windows 11 24H2, a lot is happening under the hood too

Windows 11 version 24H2 introduces checkpoint cumulative updates, streamlining the update process by using the most recent cumulative update as a baseline, which reduces file sizes and enhances security. The update requires administrators to have specific earlier versions to apply the latest updates, which may complicate the process for organizations that have delayed updates. Security enhancements include automatic account management for Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS), Personal Data Encryption (PDE) for user folders, upgraded App Control for Business, and improved Local Security Authority (LSA) functionalities. The update also supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, enhancing connectivity and audio management. User experience improvements include a redesigned Quick Settings menu, clearer context menu labels, support for creating 7-zip and TAR files, and more accessible power-saving modes. Windows 11 24H2 is available in preview through various channels and can be upgraded by devices running versions 23H2 or 22H2 with the May 2024 non-security preview update or later. The rollout will be gradual, starting with Copilot+ PC owners.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 now rolling out, here are the new features

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11, version 24H2, also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update, which has been gradually rolling out since May. Initially available to enterprise customers in the Release Preview Channel, it became accessible on Copilot+ PCs by June. This update includes new foundational elements for AI experiences and resets the 24-month support cycle for Home and Pro editions. A non-security preview update from May 2024 is required for users on versions 22H2 and 23H2 to transition to version 24H2. Key features of the update include AI-powered capabilities, HDR background support, an improved Energy Saver, enhanced Bluetooth LE Audio support for hearing aids, Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, Sudo for Windows, integration of Rust into the Windows kernel, and improvements in voice clarity, taskbar functionality, File Explorer, and Settings. The new AI features will initially be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs and will be rolled out to a broader audience starting in November. The update also enhances Windows search with natural language comprehension, introduces super-resolution for low-resolution images, and adds generative fill/erase functions in Paint. The Click to Do feature aims to streamline workflows without transmitting data to Microsoft’s servers. The rollout will begin for eligible devices running versions 22H2 and 23H2, with users encouraged to check for updates in Settings. Devices deemed ineligible will be placed on a "safeguard hold" until issues are resolved. Version 24H2 is available through Windows Server Update Services, Windows Update for Business, and the Microsoft 365 admin center. Additionally, the Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 version is introduced for specialized environments, receiving five years of support, while the Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 will receive ten years of support. Microsoft will also remove the Cortana, Tips, and WordPad applications as part of the update.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Windows 11 2024 Update even gives unsupported PCs a performance boost

Microsoft recently released the Windows 11 2024 Update, also known as version 24H2, which includes new features and performance enhancements for PCs. The update is generally available and reportedly improves performance even on unsupported PCs. Key features of the update include an updated File Explorer with a new home tab layout, the ability to duplicate tabs, a revamped context menu, support for .7z and .TAR archive formats, direct access to Android phone file systems, a new Outlook app, enhanced Copilot, AI-driven photo editing tools, improved Windows Update processes, AI-based voice clarity, simultaneous power settings configuration, a new Energy Saver mode, adjustable mouse scroll wheel direction, Wi-Fi 7 hardware support, a new PRISM emulation layer for x86 apps on Arm devices, integration of Phone Link into the Start menu, a simplified taskbar system tray layout, redesigned Quick Settings, and default Windows Spotlight images as wallpaper.

Winsage

September 19, 2024

Windows 11’s huge annual update should hit your PC in October

Microsoft will release the Windows 11 24H2 update on September 24, 2024, initially available to managed PCs through an optional non-security preview. The broader rollout will begin with the monthly security update on October 8, 2024. Users can opt-in early for updates via the Windows Settings menu. The update includes AI functionalities, performance enhancements for laptops with AMD Ryzen AI 300 chips, support for Wi-Fi 7, and new features like Automatic Super Resolution. User interface tweaks and new AI experiences in Paint and Photos are also expected. The controversial Recall feature may be postponed, while the new Outlook web app is being preloaded on some PCs.