Microsoft is making waves in the tech world with significant updates to its AI Copilot and a renewed focus on online security. From boosting sales teams to safeguarding your passwords, the company is pushing forward on multiple fronts.
Copilot Gets a Native Windows 11 Upgrade
Microsoft has revamped its Copilot app for Windows 11, making it a truly native application. This means Copilot is now deeply integrated into the operating system, offering faster responses and improved performance. According to initial testers at Windows Latest, the new Copilot app even outperforms the ChatGPT desktop app in speed and efficiency. "This is mainly due to the fact that Copilot works and responds with almost no delays and requires much less memory," they noted.
The redesigned Copilot boasts its own controls, a taskbar icon, and a picture-in-picture mode. Built using Windows technologies like XAML and WinUI, the app now uses only 50 to 100 MB of RAM on average. While Copilot can't yet control Windows 11 itself, that feature may be implemented in a future version.
The new Copilot app is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 Insiders across all channels. If you're an Insider, keep an eye out for version number 1.25023.101.0. The rest of us will have to wait a bit longer for the official release.
AI Agents to Boost Sales
Beyond the Windows 11 update, Microsoft is also introducing new Copilot AI agents designed to enhance the performance of sales teams. Microsoft hopes these agents can give salespeople that extra boost they need to clinch those big deals. This move signals Microsoft's commitment to leveraging AI across various sectors, not just personal computing.
Securing Your Online Life with Free Password Managers
In an era of frequent data breaches, using a password manager is more important than ever. But which one should you choose? Fortunately, there are several excellent free options available. "Instead of remembering all your passwords and/or passkeys, you need only one to access a secure place where all the rest are stored," as one expert put it.
Here are a few top contenders:
- Bitwarden: Recommended for most people, offering unlimited vault entries, device syncing, and basic two-factor authentication.
- KeePass: Ideal for DIY enthusiasts who prefer full local control over their data.
- KeePassXC: A streamlined alternative to KeePass, offering an easy-to-use offline password manager.
- Built-in Options: Google Password Manager, iCloud Keychain, and Firefox Password Manager have also significantly improved and offer cross-device syncing and enhanced security features.
While free password managers offer robust protection, paid services typically provide enhanced features like advanced two-factor authentication and secure password sharing across multiple users. If you need more robust security, consider upgrading to a paid plan. However, for many users, the free options will suffice.
UK Watchdog Drops Microsoft-OpenAI Review
In other news, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided not to launch a formal investigation into Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI. The CMA stated that while Microsoft has "material influence" over OpenAI, it does not exercise de facto control, and therefore the arrangement does not meet the threshold for an official inquiry.
This decision clears the way for Microsoft and OpenAI to continue their collaboration without regulatory hurdles in the UK. It remains to be seen how other regulatory bodies around the world will view the partnership.
Microsoft's recent moves highlight its commitment to AI innovation and user security. From native Copilot integration in Windows 11 to empowering sales teams and offering free password management solutions, the company is making a significant impact across various domains.