Latest news with #Copilot+PCs
Mint
24-07-2025
- Mint
Microsoft supercharges Windows 11 with AI agent, Copilot Vision and more
Microsoft has released a significant Windows 11 update, introducing a new wave of AI features and enhancements designed to enhance productivity. The July 2025 update brings Copilot Vision, an AI agent in settings and new features in Paint and Photos apps. Most of these features are coming on Copilot+ PCs, so here's everything you will get with the update on your supported devices. We recently got some news about Microsoft's implementation of AI in the settings app. It is already here and exclusive to the Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chips with plans to support Intel and AMD systems soon. With this feature, users can now ask the settings app to change certain settings by just giving a command in natural language. For example, users can ask the agent to 'change display resolution to 1920x1080' or 'connect to a Bluetooth device.' Click to Do is a contextual task feature that lets users interact with the selected text or images without leaving the active window. Here are the things users can do with Click to Do: get pronunciation feedback, enable immersive reader, convert snippets into drafts and schedule meetings directly from email text. It can be accessed through keyboard shortcuts, pen and touch gestures. The Photos app gets a Relight feature that enables users to adjust lighting in the images with up to three virtual light sources. It is highly customizable and features presets for quick and professional-looking edits. Paint app got an AI-powered 'Sticker generation' feature and an 'Object select' tool. Users can generate unique stickers and isolate objects in an image. Snipping Tool got two updates: 'Perfect Screenshot' that automatically frames content on Copilot+ PCs and a colour picker tool. These updates also bring 'Copilot Vision,' letting users securely share screen with Copilot for assistance, analysis and task guidance in any app or browser window. Most of these features are available through Windows updates and Microsoft Store app updates. And some of these features are part of a gradual update, so you may to see the features right away on your devices. Also, as mentioned earlier, some features are exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs with a plan to expand support to Intel and AMD chips.
Tom's Guide
23-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Windows 11 gets new AI-powered features in latest update — here's 4 tools to try out now
Microsoft is doubling down on its AI efforts on Copilot+ PCs with its latest Windows 11 update, bringing a host of new AI features — and they're ready to try right now. The new Windows 11 update is rolling out now, and it includes a new AI agent in Windows Settings that allows users to find and change settings by describing what they need, a Relight feature in the Photos app to adjust lighting with just a click, more tools in Click To Do and a perfect screenshot feature in the Snipping Tool. There's also Copilot Vision that's now available in the U.S., featuring the Highlights tool that lets Microsoft's AI provide contextual help on specific tasks, showing you how to carry out activities within an app or browser. This will be available in the Copilot app by clicking the glasses icon. Not all Copilot+ PCs are getting these updates straightaway: Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs get these AI features first, with support on Intel and AMD devices coming down the line. Other features are set to arrive soon, including Microsoft's Copilot Vision AI being able to see your whole desktop. But for now, update your Windows 11 PC and find out what the latest Windows 11 update brings to Copilot+ PCs. Thanks to a new AI agent, you can now change settings in Windows 11 on the fly by asking what you want adjusted instead of scrolling through the Settings app. Using Windows' first agent for Copilot+ PCs, you can describe what you want to change in settings in the search box in the Settings app. This works on a range of customizable settings, including displays, connectivity and accessbility. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For example, you can ask "change my resolution to 1920x1080" for your display, or "connect Bluetooth device" to find and connect headphones or a speaker to your PC — now all in Settings. The agent will offer recommendations and even actions to change the settings of your choice with a simple click, and there's also the option to undo any setting that's changed using the agent. To try this out yourself, follow these directions: And that's it. If the agent isn't able to understand or change the described settings, a Windows search option will pop up instead with the relevant info. Right now, this is only available on Snapdragon X Series-powered Copilot+ PCs, but Intel and AMD PCs will get this feature soon. Microsoft is also adding a new Relight feature that works in the Photos app, which aims to add professional lighting controls to snaps. It makes adjusting lighting in any photo easier, which will be helpful to anyone looking to spruce up their pictures. Relight lets you place up to 3 virtual light sources in photos, which can be placed anywhere. You can adjust the light's intensity, color and position using sliders, too, or select presets such as "Studio Portrait" and "Cinematic Glow." You can do all this by doing the following: Similar to the agent in Settings, this is only available in PCs with Snapdragon X Series CPUs for now, with Intel and AMD-equipped Copilot+ PCs getting it later. Windows 11's Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs is already available, but there are now new actions to help you get through everyday tasks aside from analyzing text and offering contextual actions. Here's a look at the features you can try out now, which can all be done by pressing Windows key + mouse click, Windows key + Q or using the Snipping Tool and selecting text. These new features on Click to Do are currently available for Windows 11 users in English, except for those in Europe. Windows 11's Snipping Tool is also getting an upgrade, this time adding two features. This includes perfect screenshot and color picker. Both options are now available as part of the latest update, with buttons added to the Snipping Tool toolbar. Perfect screenshot will automatically crop and resize what's captured on screen based on the content shown (for example, focusing on an app rather than the entire screen), while color picker can capture the color code of what's inspected. You can do each by bringing up the Snipping Tool or capturing a screenshot using the Print Screen shortcut (Windows Key + Print Screen or Windows key + Fn + Print Screen). Remember, many of these features are only available on Snapdragon X Series Copilot+ PCs right now (which are among the best laptops), with other Intel and AMD PCs getting the features soon, according to Microsoft. Once you've got the latest Windows 11 update, check them out! And be sure to try out these 15 top Windows 11 tips everyone needs to know. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Stuff.tv
22-07-2025
- Stuff.tv
Work, create, play, repeat: the ultimate all-rounder laptops are ready at Currys
Do you kick off your day bashing out emails over coffee? How about your afternoons? Wading through pre-sheets and client decks? And when it's time to clock off, do you unwind by editing your snaps, with some gaming and streaming thrown in for good measure? Sorry to bombard you with questions. If that all sounds remotely familiar, you need a machine that doesn't force you to choose between power, flexibility, and stamina. You need a laptop that's built to handle work, creativity, and play – sometimes all at once. Enter Curry's. It's stocking a new generation of Copilot+ PCs – ultra-capable Windows 11 laptops powered by Intel Core® Ultra™ processors – that are built to confidently handle whatever you care to throw at them. Whether you're plugging in for a full day of deep work, sketching out ideas on a touchscreen, or propped on the sofa with a film and your second packet of chocolate Hobnobs (no judgement here), these machines are made to keep up. With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best laptops that deliver on all fronts – and you'll find them all now at Currys. ASUS Zenbook S 14: built for balance Light enough to carry all day, and powerful enough to handle practically anything, the Zenbook S 14 is a brilliantly balanced machine for people who jump between tasks and tools without missing a beat. At just 1.2 kg and a staggering 1.1 cm thin, it's a veritable featherweight. And yet, beneath its sleek chassis beats the power of an Intel Core® Ultra™ 7 processor with integrated Intel® Arc™ graphics, 32 GB of RAM, and a generous 1 TB SSD. A Tetris-worthy marvel. It's the screen that makes it a creative standout, though. The 14in 3K OLED panel is sharp, bright, and calibrated for colour accuracy – making it ideal for photographers, designers, or anyone who likes their Netflix served with richer blacks and punchy colours. The 120 Hz refresh rate brings silky-smooth scrolling and gaming prowess, while the touchscreen lets you swipe, tap, and zoom through projects with pinpoint precision. And if your workday involves bouncing between browser tabs, image edits, and presentations, this is the laptop that makes it all feel effortless. With up to 12 hours of battery life per charge, it'll stay with you through early starts and late finishes without biting the dust. How's that for peace of mind? MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo: creative power in your palm The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo is what happens when you pump all your stats into performance and portability. It's not just light – it's under a kilo – and yet somehow still manages to squeeze in a 2.8K OLED display, a 1 TB SSD, 32 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core® Ultra™7 processor – complete with Intel® Arc™ GPU for accelerated video editing, rendering, and real-time creative previews. Phew. Whether you're slicing through footage, sketching out concepts, or just hopping between Excel and Illustrator, the Prestige 13 delivers snappy performance with zero fuss. Its high-resolution screen brings crisp detail and vibrant colours too, making it ideal for creative apps or just kicking back with a film when the workday's over. And with a full-HD webcam, three-mic array, and AI-powered noise cancellation, it's equally well-equipped for video calls – even if you're working from a busy café. Best of all, the battery just keeps going. You can get up to 24 hours of runtime from a single charge – long enough to work, play, and maybe even squeeze in a comforting episode or two of Friends before bed. ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED: versatility with attitude For creators on a budget – or anyone who just wants a sharp, dependable all-rounder – the ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED is a smart choice. It's powered by an Intel Core® Ultra™5 processor and backed by Intel® Arc™ graphics and 16 GB of RAM, so whether you're editing photos, building decks, or playing the odd indie game, it can take the strain. You get a spacious 512 GB SSD too, with fast boot and load times for all your apps and files. The star of the show here though, is the screen. A Full HD+ OLED panel delivers inky blacks and bold contrast, and the 16:10 aspect ratio means more vertical space for working and browsing. It's slim, light, and stylish enough to carry into meetings or lectures, and quiet enough to double as a late-night binge-watching machine. You'll get up to 16 hours of battery life on a charge as well, so it won't run out of steam halfway through any major plot twists. All in all, a proper do-it-all machine that won't break your back – or your budget. Lenovo Yoga Slim 9: a premium experience, front to back The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9 isn't just a laptop. It's a statement. With a sculpted glass finish, an almost bezel-free 14in display, and camera hidden beneath the screen(!), it's an ultra-sleek creative powerhouse with zero compromise on performance. Inside, there's an Intel Core® Ultra™ 7 processor, integrated Intel® Arc™ graphics, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of SSD storage – everything you need to power through work, design, and entertainment shenanigans. Its PureSight Pro OLED screen is a formidable sight to behold too – a 4K resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and DisplayHDR True Black 600 certification all combine to deliver exceptional detail and contrast. In short, if you're juggling spreadsheets in the morning, sketching ideas after lunch, and watching films at night, this is a screen that's more than ready to bring it all to life. Its touchscreen interface responds quickly and accurately as well, with enough clarity and fluidity to support stylus input for note-taking or digital doodling. And, despite all that power, it weighs just 1.2 kg – so you can take it anywhere (and look the business in the process). One device. Endless possibilities. Work, create, or play, these Intel Core® Ultra™ processors – powered Copilot+ PCs are built to support you through it all. They're light enough to follow you anywhere, smart enough to adapt to the task at hand, and powerful enough to do it all without breaking a sweat. Whether you're deep into a creative project, breezing through admin, hopping on a call, or just kicking back with a film or game, these laptops are ready to keep up. If that sounds good, then you'll find them all now at Currys. And if you're lucky, a few might even be available at a discount. Enjoy!
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Business Standard
Microsoft has Google's Circle to Search alternative in works for Windows 11
Microsoft seems to be building its Google's Circle to Search alternative for Windows 11. In the latest Insider Preview Build 26200.5702, rolling out to testers in the Dev Channel, the company has introduced a feature called 'describe image' as part of its 'Click to Do' experience on Copilot+ PCs. While not officially pitched as a Circle to Search alternative, the functionality hints at a similar goal – helping users interact with visual elements and providing them with more information about it. There are two key differences between Google's Circle to Search and Microsoft 's describe image feature. The first being that the former is primarily for smartphones, and the latter is for Copilot+PCs only for now. The second key differentiator is how it performs the task. Circle to Search works by collecting relevant information about the searched object from online sources, whereas Microsoft's feature does not necessarily need to search for it online; rather, it can see what the image or infographic is and generate a description about it directly on the device by processing the data locally. What is 'describe image' in Windows 11 for Copilot+ PCs The describe image feature lets users click on an image, chart, or graph and get a detailed description, explaining the content of the image selected. This feature does not rely on cloud-based image recognition; rather, it analyses the infographic locally and offers information about it without searching online. Microsoft said that the approach to use on-device capability is to keep user data private while still leveraging AI to extract insights from visual content. According to Microsoft, the feature will be useful for getting quick overviews of visuals like graphs or images embedded in documents, apps, or web pages. It could help users quickly understand visuals without having to interpret them manually. The feature is currently being tested on PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon platform, but Microsoft has confirmed that support for Intel and AMD-based Copilot+ PCs is on the way. How is this similar to Google's Circle to Search Google's Circle to Search, available on select Android phones, allows users to circle any object on their screen – text, image, or video – and instantly search for it online to get more details about it. As explained above, unlike Google's method that relies on cloud-based image recognition, Microsoft's implementation processes everything locally. The 'describe image' tool doesn't involve real-time web search yet, but the essence is comparable: identify visual elements on-screen and extract relevant information about them. When will it be widely available? For now, 'describe image' is being rolled out gradually to Windows Insiders using Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs, with support for Intel and AMD-powered machines 'coming soon.' Notably, users must also enable the setting to receive the latest features as soon as they're available (via Settings > Windows Update).
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Business Standard
24-06-2025
- Business Standard
Microsoft Mu model brings on-device AI agent to Copilot+ PCs: How it works
Microsoft has detailed a new lightweight language model called 'Mu,' which has already been deployed to power agentic AI Settings features on Copilot+ PCs. This AI model runs entirely on-device using the Neural Processing Unit (NPU), and according to Microsoft, delivers response speeds of over 100 tokens per second—fast enough to power AI agents in certain scenarios. For context, Microsoft added an AI-powered agent to the Settings app earlier this year, which lets users control their PCs using simple prompts like 'make my mouse pointer bigger' or 'how to control my PC by voice.' The agent can then guide users through solutions—or take the necessary actions automatically, with permission. This feature is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel on Copilot+ PCs. How Microsoft's Mu model works Mu is a specially designed AI model that's small and efficient enough to run directly on a PC's NPU, instead of relying on cloud-based servers. Microsoft says this makes it faster and more private since your data doesn't leave the device. The model is built using a technique called encoder–decoder architecture. In simpler terms, it first reads your input (like a question or command), understands its meaning, and then produces a response based on that understanding. Microsoft says this approach is more efficient than traditional models because it separates the task of understanding the input from generating the output—saving both memory and processing time. Mu was also custom-built to take advantage of how NPUs work, using hardware-friendly tweaks and smart memory-saving tricks like 'weight sharing' to reduce its size without sacrificing performance. As a result, Mu is optimised to deliver quick, reliable results while using fewer resources. Mu model's training process Microsoft trained Mu using its Azure cloud platform and powerful NVIDIA A100 graphics processors. The training process involved exposing the model to hundreds of billions of text samples—mostly educational content—to help it understand grammar, language patterns, and general knowledge. Mu builds on techniques from Microsoft's previous small models, like the Phi family. Although Mu is much smaller—about one-tenth the size of Phi-3.5-mini—it delivers similar performance thanks to better efficiency and training techniques. To make sure Mu runs smoothly on a wide range of Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft also worked closely with chip makers like Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD. They used advanced techniques like model quantization, which shrinks the model further while preserving its abilities.
