1.Microsoft Integrates More AI Into Windows 11, Making Copilot Central to the OS
Microsoft is really pushing its Copilot AI assistant in Windows 11. Around October 16th, they released a bunch of updates to make Copilot play even nicer with Windows. Microsoft sees Copilot as a handy helper that can tackle simple tasks and connect all your gadgets without a fuss. They’re trying to keep up with Google and Meta, who are also moving quickly with AI.
So, what’s new?
**Just Say, Hey Copilot!**
You know how you can say Hey Siri or Okay Google? Now you can say Hey Copilot to get its attention. First, you’ve got to turn the option on in the settings. Once you do that, you can just use your voice to tell Copilot what to do, like opening apps or changing settings. You don’t even have to touch your mouse or keyboard.
Just think about telling your computer to open something or tweak a setting – how quick is that? If you’re relaxing on the sofa and want to play a game, you can just ask Copilot to boot up your computer and start the game.
**Copilot Can See Your Screen**
Remember how Copilot could view your screen and give you responses based on what it saw? That feature works even better now. Reading an email? Copilot can give you a summary, suggest some replies, and mark any dates you need to remember. Working on a hard spreadsheet? Copilot can suggest formulas to use.
**Type in Commands, If You Want**
You can type commands as well as talk to Copilot, it's your choice. That's good if you'd prefer to not talk to your computer, or if you're in a place where you don't want your computer talking back at you. Just punch in a few sentences, and Copilot will respond.
**Copilot to Act on your Behalf**
This part is truly cool. Microsoft is testing out Copilot Actions. If they work out well, Copilot could do things like book restaurant reservations or order groceries.
The company already put something close to this in the Edge browser. You could ask Copilot to find a good sushi place nearby and book a table for 7 PM. Copilot will go online, find some spots, and book the reservation. Don't worry. Microsoft states that your details are protected. Copilot won’t do anything unless you tell it to.
**Copilot for Xbox Users**
Can you even imagine, Microsoft even made a Gaming Copilot for Xbox users. It will give you playing tips and tips on how to get better at your game. It can also help you with computer issues while you're playing games.
Stuck on a level? Need a new weapon? Controller acting up? Gaming Copilot can help. It won’t pause your game while helping you. This is part of a bigger trend in how Microsoft is putting AI into everything. People can see uses at work or just for playing around.
Yusuf Mehdi, a Microsoft exec, believes that AI is going to be for everyone and believes that AI is going to become second nature very quickly. As if it were the mouse.
Microsoft’s aim is to make Copilot very easy to use and actually useful. They hope this will change how people use computers. They're trying this AI thing out and want to get in on the action right now.
What this means is that Copilot is getting more helpful quick. Microsoft wants Copilot to be more than just another program. They want it to be a buddy that you can talk to, type to, and that can even do things for you. With these new features, AI on Windows is getting easier to work with.
2.Google Upgrades Android 16’s Easter Egg With New Live Update Feature
Google's given the old Android Easter egg a fresh coat of paint in Android 16 QPR2! This time, it's not just a cute little hidden surprise; it's showing off a cool, practical feature called Live Updates. Those fun Easter eggs have been around forever, but now this one does double duty by acting as a demo for this new addition to Android.
So, what are Live Updates exactly? Well, think of them as Android's take on those Live Activities you see on iOS devices. They let apps push info to you in real-time, right there on your screen. We're talking about updates that pop up in the status bar up top, on your always-on display when your phone is idle, and even at the top of your notification area. This keeps you in the loop without needing to jump into the app constantly.
Imagine a few things:
* Using a maps app, and the next turn shows up as a little notification at the top, so you don't have to stare at the map the entire time!
* Waiting for a ride? The app can put the driver's arrival time right on your lock screen.
* Ordering food? Get updates the very second the restaurant starts cooking, when the driver picks it up, and when they're pulling into your driveway, all without ever opening the app, isn't it a great experience?
The best part is that it makes juggling multiple things way easier. Stay on top of your stuff without the constant app-switching game.
Okay, traditionally, Android Easter eggs are there to give a touch of playful user feedback. But with Android 16 QPR2, Google changed the game by using the Easter egg to show how the Live updates work to the end user. Now the demonstration becomes more practical.
The Live Updates wasn't completely fixed, so it was not shipped on the initial Android 16 release. But now, as the QPR2 is almost ready to be released, Google is now using Easter egg to show this feature in a playful, but informative way. These initiatives also encourage the users to explore the new feature and keep fun and surprise like Andorid used to do.
How will this affect the developers? Live Updates let the developers create the possibility to make a better user experience of their app. The apps now can show the user a sensitive information at a frequent format. The apps can show the transportation, fitness, finance, and logistics in real time updates.
Android 16 QPR2 has reached the second palteform stability release, the app developer can finalize the behavior of the app. The developers now can confidently work on the Live Updates because the APIs and the behavior of the app won't change when it releases with the stable version on December.
Google also told the developers to test their Live Updates on the Easter egg version to show how the feature can behave in different UI surfaces.
Where do we get this? Live Updates is inside the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3. This one is available on most Pixel devices.
* Pixel 6 and later models
* Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet
* Pixel 10 series
* Android Emulator
To find the Easter egg it's easy. You can find it on the settings, go to About Phone, find the Android Version option, tap multiple times and you will see it! The updated Easter egg will show an animation in the Live Update style, and it will simulate the apps that are using this feature in the real world scenario.
So, Google's latest Easter egg update is more than just a fun detail. This is because the update can change the way to interact with our phones to a different direction.
Maybe soon, we never know that the Live updates will be one of the best features in the Android. The Easter egg is getting spotlight that it deserves, and these things makes Android a great operating system.
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