In this week’s edition of The Windows Forecast, we find ourselves in a quieter news cycle for Windows Insiders. However, there are still intriguing developments to discuss, particularly regarding the evolution of Copilot+ PCs and enhancements to Windows Update.
Copilot+ PCs are finally getting some useful AI features
Well, kind of…
When Microsoft unveiled Copilot+ PCs earlier this year, the excitement was palpable, primarily fueled by the anticipated Recall feature and the potential of Windows on Arm. However, the subsequent announcement that Recall would not be available anytime soon dampened that initial enthusiasm. While my experience with the Asus Vivobook S 15 was positive, the focus remained largely on the hardware rather than the AI capabilities.
Fast forward a few months, and Microsoft is beginning to roll out meaningful updates for Copilot+ PCs. This week, Windows Insiders using Windows 11 version 24H2 on Snapdragon X PCs received a significant update to the Photos app, introducing a feature called Super Resolution. This innovative tool leverages AI to enhance image size and resolution, ensuring that scaling is done effectively rather than merely stretching existing pixels.
While this feature is a step forward, it may not be revolutionary, especially in an era where high-quality cameras are ubiquitous. Personally, I find features like Google’s Photo Unblur to be more impactful for improving image quality, particularly for those of us with less steady hands.
Nonetheless, this is just the beginning. Microsoft has teased a range of upcoming capabilities, including Click To Do and the much-anticipated Recall, which is expected to roll out to Insiders this month. My somewhat skeptical prediction is that Recall will arrive just in time to avoid any accusations of delay.
Windows Update sucks a little less now
Not that I ever hated it, honestly
Windows Update often garners its fair share of complaints, yet I have found it manageable. I typically perform updates promptly, and with a bit of planning, they rarely disrupt my workflow. However, Microsoft acknowledges the widespread dissatisfaction and has made strides to improve the update experience in Windows 11 version 24H2.
This latest version introduces a revamped update stack, which significantly enhances the update process. According to Microsoft’s tests, updates are now up to 45% faster to install, with restart times improving by nearly 40%. Remarkably, these updates also consume up to 25% less CPU resources, translating to substantial time and energy savings over the course of the year.
Interestingly, Microsoft backported the new update stack to version 22H2 for testing, raising questions about why this wasn’t made available for existing versions. Perhaps version 24H2 needs all the compelling features it can muster, given that it is a relatively minor update aside from the Copilot+ enhancements.
Windows on Arm just keeps getting more exciting
I’m already hyped for the next generation
In a brief but exciting update, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit showcased the impressive single-core performance of its new second-generation Oryon CPUs. The first-generation Oryon processors already outperformed Intel in terms of efficiency, and the latest iteration promises even greater advancements.
The second-generation Oryon CPUs boast enhanced single-core performance while consuming 57% less power, a remarkable feat considering the already impressive capabilities of the first generation. While it was disappointing not to see specific PC products utilizing these CPUs at the summit, the anticipation for the second-generation Snapdragon X processors next year is palpable. It is crucial, however, that software developers begin optimizing for Arm architecture sooner rather than later to fully leverage these advancements.
See you next week
Although this week has been relatively slow for Windows Insider news, the developments surrounding Snapdragon and the promise of new Copilot+ features keep the excitement alive. As we look ahead, the hope is that Microsoft continues to unveil innovative features at a steady pace.
