Latest news with #CopilotPlus
The Verge
10-06-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft Edge is getting an AI-powered browser history that works with typos
Microsoft has started testing a new feature for its Edge browser that adds an AI-powered search to browsing history. This new 'enhanced search' feature lets you find websites in your browser history even if you use a phrase, synonym, or even a typo that's similar to the site you actually want to find. The AI-powered history search started appearing in beta versions of Microsoft Edge last week. 'After this feature is turned on, sites you visit will be shown in enhanced history search results,' explains Microsoft in its beta channel release notes. 'An on-device model is trained using your data, which never leaves your device and is never sent to Microsoft.' This optional feature seems like less of a privacy risk than Microsoft's Recall feature that screenshots most of what you do on a Copilot Plus PC to make it easier to search for websites, photos, and documents. The use of an on-device model that's limited to your browser history is certainly better than having to store everything on your screen in a local database. Alongside the AI-powered browsing history, Microsoft is also adding a media control center to Edge that lets you control multiple media sources from websites. This media control center includes quick access to Edge's picture-in-picture mode, which itself is getting better controls, and the ability to control music, video, or other sounds that are playing inside Edge.
CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
My Pick for Laptop Shoppers Seeking Tariff Relief: Acer's $700 Aspire 14 AI
CNET's key takeaways The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available for $700 at Costco (with the occasional spike to $750). The Intel Lunar Lake CPU offers good performance for the price and long battery life. The display and design won't wow you. Laptop prices are on the rise -- and the more they increase, the better Acer's Aspire 14 AI looks. When I reviewed it in April, it cost $700 at Costco and was the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I had reviewed. Fast forward two months and it still costs $700 at Costco and is still the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I've seen -- and a great value. Acer cuts the right corners to hit such a low price for the Aspire 14 AI, delivering a well-rounded laptop with modern components. This is no budget laptop with outdated parts. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor (codenamed Lunar Lake) that serves up competitive application and AI performance along with great battery life and a design that doesn't look all that different from Acer's pricier Swift laptops. The Aspire 14 AI's no-frills but future-proofed package makes it one of the best budget laptops of 2025. My experience with the Acer Aspire 14 AI I'm still waiting for the killer AI app to make a laptop AI CPU a must but it's nice to know that when it arrives, you'll have a laptop that's built for it. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU that has a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), the Aspire 14 AI hits the minimum requirement for Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC platform. Its AI processor can offload AI workloads -- constantly taking Windows Recall snapshots, blurring backgrounds for video calls and producing live translations -- to its NPU, keeping the CPU and GPU freed up for whatever primary task you're working on. Matt Elliott/CNET Future-proofing is always valuable in any laptop, especially so in a budget model where it's not always a given. (You need to be careful when shopping for a low-cost laptop because so many are older models with previous-generation components that are discounted in an attempt to clear out inventory for newer units.) In testing, the Aspire 14 AI hung with the more expensive Copilot Plus PCs I've tested. Its scores on our application, graphics and AI benchmarks weren't all that far off from those of its pricier competitors. Its integrated Intel GPU doesn't provide much in the way of 3D gaming but the same can be said for any Copilot Plus PC as I've yet to encounter one with dedicated graphics. With the Aspire 14 AI, you avoid the budget laptop trap of buying a machine with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. And you also skip past the spectrer of the Creaky Plastic Monster. Many budget laptops have flimsy plastic enclosures but the Aspire 14 AI has aluminum top and bottom panels with only a plastic keyboard deck. And the keyboard deck feels rigid and doesn't bend or flex like the thinner plastic common to other budget models. It's a solidly constructed laptop and you'd have to look closely to tell it apart from one of Acer's mainstream Swift laptops. The specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics: Intel Arc 130V Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 14-inch 1,920x1,200 touch IPS LCD Ports: 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Weight: 3.05 pounds Battery life: 18 hr, 56 min Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Home CNET'S Buying Advice The best part of the Aspire 14 AI is getting a modern CPU that delivers the performance needed for the laptop to act as your primary machine and not just a cheap, underpowered second system. And the efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU also allows the Aspire 14 AI to run for almost 19 hours on a single charge while also offering a bit of future-proofing with its AI capabilities. The uninspired design and meh display are really the only items that scream "budget laptop." The rest of the package is more mainstream than budget, including the 16GB of RAM and the roomy 1TB SSD. You are usually looking at 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD when shopping for a $700 laptop. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I have a couple of other Copilot Plus PCs you should check out. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a winner for its slick and sturdy design and awesome haptic touchpad and the Asus Zenbook A14 boasts an ultralight yet rigid enclosure with a gorgeous OLED display. Plus, both offer even better battery life than the Aspire 14 AI.
CNET
23-05-2025
- CNET
Note, Paint and Snip With AI: Microsoft Adds New Features, but Not for Everyone
Three longtime staples of the Microsoft ecosystem are getting artificial intelligence enhancements, but they won't necessarily be available to all. With the updates, Notepad users will be able to use generative AI to write text; Paint users now can create AI-generated stickers; and Snippet users can deploy a "perfect screenshot" feature. The catch, however, is that the Notepad AI update will only be available to Microsoft 365 or Copilot Pro subscribers and Paint's new AI features will only work on Copilot Plus PCs. Everyone will be able to use the new Snippet enhancements, however.
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Business Standard
HP OmniBook 5 review: Productivity-focused laptop with balanced performance
The Copilot Plus PC range in India is expanding beyond Qualcomm-powered PCs. Among the new entrants is the HP OmniBook 5, a 16-inch productivity-focused laptop powered by AMD's new Ryzen AI platform. Designed to take advantage of Microsoft's Copilot Plus features, it also comes with HP's own AI enhancements – all packed into a solid all-rounder that aims to balance performance, usability, and everyday value. But in a market increasingly crowded with AI-powered machines, does the OmniBook 5 manage to stand out? Let's find out: Design and ports The first thing you notice about the HP OmniBook 5 is its commanding presence, largely due to its expansive 16-inch display. While the laptop occupies a considerable footprint on a desk, it doesn't feel overly bulky. At 1.79 kg, it's certainly on the heavier side, but still manageable for daily commutes in a backpack. In terms of aesthetics, the OmniBook 5 sticks to HP's signature design language, featuring a minimalist aluminium chassis with a polished, rounded HP logo on the lid. The build mostly delivers a premium in-hand feel, though a few design choices – such as the contrasting grey plastic keyboard and matte plastic bezels around the display – slightly detract from the otherwise sleek finish. Up front, there's a fullHD IR webcam housed in the slightly thicker top bezel, which also includes a physical privacy shutter. Port selection is solid. On the left, the laptop features a USB Type-A port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the right, you'll find two USB-C ports (both supporting Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1), an HDMI 2.1 output, and a second USB Type-A port. While it's convenient that the laptop supports USB-C charging, having both USB-C ports placed on the same (right) side can feel a bit awkward, particularly for cable management during charging or docking. Display and audio The display is one of the standout features of the HP OmniBook 5. It sports a 16-inch IPS touchscreen with a 2K resolution (1920 x 1200), delivering sharp visuals and accurate colour reproduction. The panel also comes with an anti-glare coating, which does a good job of minimising reflections—especially useful in brightly lit office environments. What really sets the display apart is its generous size, offering ample screen real estate for multitasking. Managing multiple windows in split-screen mode feels seamless, making it ideal for productivity-focused workflows. However, the 60Hz refresh rate may feel limiting for users accustomed to smoother, high-refresh displays—particularly for tasks involving motion or media playback. On the audio front, the OmniBook 5 features dual bottom-firing speakers that provide standard laptop sound—adequate for casual listening but lacking depth or punch. While there's no support for Dolby Atmos, the inclusion of DTS:X Ultra adds a layer of spatial audio, enabling more immersive sound positioning in compatible content. Camera and microphones The HP OmniBook 5 is equipped with a 5MP IR webcam that supports 1080p video. The camera performs impressively well, capturing sharp facial details – even in low-light conditions. It also supports a comprehensive suite of AI-powered Windows Studio Effects, including automatic framing, eye contact correction, and background blur, enhancing the overall video call experience. For security and convenience, the webcam includes infrared hardware that enables Windows Hello facial recognition, allowing users to log in quickly and securely without needing a password. Audio input is handled by a pair of dual-array microphones, positioned on either side of the camera. While the mic quality isn't class-leading, it performs well in quiet environments, capturing voice clearly with decent noise suppression – making it suitable for video calls and online meetings. Keyboard and touchpad Coming to your working area, the HP OmniBook 5 features a full-sized backlit keyboard with a dedicated numeric keypad. The keys are well spaced, and the palm rest area provides ample room for your wrists, resulting in a comfortable typing experience. While the key travel isn't particularly deep, the tactile feedback is responsive and satisfying enough for extended use. The keyboard also offers a two-level backlight with a dedicated key to adjust the backlight timer. Notable additions include a dedicated function key to quickly access the emoji keyboard, and a customisable key that can be configured to launch apps like myHP or the Omen Gaming Hub, depending on the user's preferences. The touchpad is moderately sized and supports the full range of Windows 11 gesture controls. It features the same surface texture as the rest of the chassis, which may make it slightly hard to distinguish by touch—at least until you get accustomed to its placement. Despite that, it performs reliably for daily navigation and multitouch gestures. Performance The HP OmniBook 5 is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 350 series processors. The unit I tested features the Ryzen AI 7, although a variant with Ryzen AI 5 is also available. It comes equipped with AMD Radeon 860M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 512GB SSD. In day-to-day use, the laptop performs flawlessly. Whether it's handling multiple Chrome tabs, managing split-screen multitasking, or navigating across apps, the system remains smooth and responsive. Over more than two weeks of daily use as my primary work machine, I encountered no noticeable stutter or lag. Sleep and wake times are also near-instant—closing the lid puts the device into sleep seamlessly, and it resumes instantly when reopened. While the OmniBook 5 lacks a dedicated GPU and isn't built for heavy gaming, it handles casual titles reasonably well. I tested F1 23 on the laptop, and it consistently delivered over 45 FPS on medium graphics settings. However, I did encounter some quirks with display scaling – the system defaults to 125 per cent scale on its large 16-inch display, which caused minor issues with full-screen rendering in certain games. Switching to 100 per cent scale manually resolved the issue and allowed for full-screen gameplay. Overall, the OmniBook 5 offers strong performance for productivity, light creative workloads, and casual gaming – making it a capable all-rounder for everyday use. Software and AI Thanks to its Ryzen AI processor with a dedicated NPU, the HP OmniBook 5 supports a range of Microsoft Copilot Plus AI features. Some of the standout capabilities include Studio Effects for video calls, CoCreate and Restyle tools in Paint and Photos for AI-assisted design tasks, and live captions that translate spoken content from audio or video into real-time English subtitles. That said, it's important to note that some newly introduced Copilot Plus features—such as Super Resolution in the Photos app and the AI-enhanced Windows Search—are currently not available on this device. These features remain exclusive, for now, to Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered Copilot Plus PCs, though support for Intel and AMD-based systems is expected to roll out in future updates. To complement Microsoft's AI features, HP includes its own AI Companion app, which offers additional functionality. This tool allows users to create a personal knowledge library by uploading documents, then query the AI chatbot for insights based on that content. In testing, I uploaded a PDF version of a book and asked the assistant for an overview, followed by related questions. The chatbot performed efficiently, providing coherent summaries and relevant responses. Battery The HP OmniBook 5 is equipped with a 59Wh battery, which was able to comfortably power the laptop through a full workday of around 9 hours during my testing. However, by the end of the day, the battery was nearly depleted—so while it can last a typical work session, heavy users may want to keep the charger handy for longer stints. For charging, the laptop ships with a 65W USB-C adapter. HP claims that the device can charge up to 50 per cent in 30 minutes, and in real-world use, this held mostly true. I was able to charge the battery from 13 per cent to 80 per cent in roughly 45 minutes. Verdict The HP OmniBook 5, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 7, is currently listed on the company's website for Rs 88,999, while the Ryzen AI 5 variant is available at Rs 77,999. At this price point, the laptop delivers a spacious 16-inch 2K touchscreen, making it well-suited for multitasking and productivity-heavy workflows. It also offers the performance to back it up, handling day-to-day tasks with ease. Although the design isn't the most premium in its class, the OmniBook 5 makes up for it with practical utility—including a solid port selection, a comfortable keyboard, and a reliable webcam that's more than adequate for video calls and conferencing. There are a few trade-offs: the battery life, while serviceable, isn't class-leading, and the 60Hz refresh rate may feel limiting for users accustomed to smoother displays. However, for those prioritising a large screen, responsive performance, and AI-ready capabilities, the OmniBook 5 stands out as a strong contender in the mid-range work laptop category.
CNET
22-05-2025
- CNET
Signal Will Black Out Windows Recall Screenshots to Preserve Privacy
The privacy-minded Signal messaging service is putting a blindfold on the prying eyes of the newly returned Windows Recall, Microsoft's AI-powered feature that will take a screenshot of whatever you're doing on your computer every few seconds to give your PC the "photographic memory" you never asked for. In a blog post Wednesday, Signal announced a new "screen security" feature for its Windows 11 app so that said screenshots will appear as a black screen when it tries to snap what you're doing, much like what happens if you try to take a screenshot of DRM content from Netflix and the like. Last year, Microsoft pulled Recall from new Copilot Plus PCs in response to backlash over security and privacy concerns, which continued to plague it in the ensuing months as Microsoft worked through revisions. Neither Signal nor Microsoft immediately responded to a request for comment.
