Unleash the Power of Teams and Copilot

Introduction

With the advancement of AI technology, we are entering a new era where our relationship with technology is fundamentally changing. The convergence of chat interfaces and large language models has allowed us to interact with technology in a more natural way, making it easier to ask for what we want and receive intelligent responses. Microsoft recognizes the potential of this technology and has been integrating AI-powered copilots into their most popular products, such as GitHub, Microsoft 365, Bing, and Edge. These copilots act as companions, providing assistance and enhancing productivity across various tasks. Microsoft is now taking the next step by unifying these capabilities into a single experience called Microsoft Copilot, available in Windows 11, Microsoft 365, and their web browser with Edge and Bing.

Unifying AI Capabilities with Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is designed to provide better assistance by incorporating the context and intelligence of the web, your work data, and your current PC activities. It offers a seamless and simple experience, accessible through a right-click or as an app. Microsoft plans to continue adding capabilities and connections to Copilot across their most-used applications over time, aiming to create a unified experience that spans all aspects of your life. Copilot will begin rolling out as part of the free update to Windows 11 on September 26, and will also be available in Bing, Edge, and Microsoft 365 Copilot this fall.

New Features in Windows 11 Update

The upcoming Windows 11 update brings over 150 new features, including the integration of Copilot into the operating system. Some of the notable features included in the update are:

Copilot in Windows

Copilot in Windows allows users to complete tasks more efficiently and with less cognitive load. It provides assistance alongside all your apps, accessible through the taskbar or with the Win+C keyboard shortcut. Copilot is available on all screen sizes, whether you’re at work, school, or home.

Enhanced AI-powered Apps

• Paint: The Paint app has been enhanced with AI capabilities, including background removal, layers, and a preview of Cocreator, which brings generative AI power to the app.
• Photos: The Photos app now offers features such as background blur, which allows you to make the subject of your photo stand out by highlighting it and blurring the background. The app also includes improved search functionality based on the content and location of your photos.
• Snipping Tool: The Snipping Tool now allows you to extract specific text content from an image and protect sensitive information with text redaction. It also supports sound capturing using audio and mic support for creating videos and content from your screen.
• Clipchamp: Clipchamp now includes auto compose, which provides scene suggestions, edits, and narratives based on your images and footage, helping you create professional-quality videos for sharing on social media.
• Notepad: Notepad now automatically saves your session state, allowing you to close the app without any interrupting dialogs and pick up where you left off when you return. It also restores previously open tabs and unsaved content and edits across those tabs.
• Outlook: The new Outlook for Windows allows you to connect and coordinate various email accounts in one app, including Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and more. It also offers intelligent tools for writing clear and concise emails and seamlessly attaching documents and photos from OneDrive.

Modernized File Explorer

The File Explorer in Windows 11 is getting a modernized home, address bar, and search box, making it easier to access important and relevant content. It also includes a new Gallery feature for easy access to your photo collection.

Accessibility Improvements

Windows 11 continues Microsoft’s commitment to accessibility with new text authoring experiences, voice access, and new natural voices in Narrator, making it the most accessible version of Windows yet.

Windows Backup

Windows Backup makes it easier to transition from one Windows 11 PC to another by seamlessly transferring files, apps, and settings, ensuring everything is right where you left it.

Bing and Edge Enhancements

Microsoft is also introducing new features in Bing and Edge to enhance your web browsing experience with AI capabilities. Some of the features include:

Personalized Answers

Bing now takes your chat history into account to provide more personalized answers. For example, if you’ve used Bing to track your favorite soccer team, it can proactively inform you if the team is playing in your destination city when you’re planning a trip.

Copilot in Microsoft Shopping

Bing now includes Copilot in Microsoft Shopping, allowing you to find what you’re shopping for online more quickly. When you ask for information on an item, Bing will ask additional questions to provide more tailored recommendations. Bing also guarantees the best price, with over $4 billion in savings offered to shoppers on Microsoft Edge in the last 12 months.

DALL.E 3 Model in Bing Image Creator

Bing Image Creator now supports the latest DALL.E 3 model from OpenAI, delivering more accurate and beautiful images. Microsoft Designer is also integrated into Bing Image Creator, making editing creations even easier.

Content Credentials

To ensure responsible use of generative AI, Bing now adds Content Credentials to all AI-generated images, including an invisible digital watermark with information on when the image was originally created. Content Credentials will also be supported in Paint and Microsoft Designer.

Bing Chat Enterprise Updates

Bing Chat Enterprise, which has been widely adopted by over 160 million Microsoft 365 users, is now available in the Microsoft Edge mobile app. It also offers support for multimodal visual search and Image Creator, enabling users to find information using images and create them.

Transforming Work with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Bing Chat Enterprise

Microsoft 365 Copilot, which has been in preview, will be generally available for enterprise customers on November 1. It offers a deep understanding of your job, priorities, and organization, going beyond simple questions and answers to assist with complex or tedious tasks. Microsoft is also introducing a new hero experience in Microsoft 365 Copilot called Microsoft 365 Chat, which combs through your work data, including emails, meetings, chats, documents, and the web, to provide a head start on tasks such as writing strategy documents, booking business trips, and catching up on emails. Bing Chat Enterprise, now available in the Microsoft Edge mobile app, is also getting upgrades such as support for multimodal visual search and Image Creator.

Powerful New Surface Devices

Microsoft is introducing new Surface devices that bring AI experiences to life. These devices include:

• Surface Laptop Studio 2: The most powerful Surface device yet, featuring the latest Intel Core processors and NVIDIA Studio tools for creators. It offers a stunning 14.4″ PixelSense Flow touchscreen display and a flexible design with three unique postures.
• Surface Laptop Go 3: A balance of style and performance, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is the lightest and most portable Surface Laptop. It features a touchscreen display, premium features like an incredible typing experience and a Fingerprint Power Button, and comes in four stylish colors.
• Surface Go 4 for Business: Designed for frontline workers and educators, the Surface Go 4 is the most portable Surface 2-in-1. It will be available exclusively for organizations to modernize and enhance productivity.
• Surface Hub 3: The premier collaboration device built for hybrid work, the Surface Hub 3 offers a brilliant 50″ or 85″ screen and AI-enhanced collaboration tools. It includes features such as Portrait, Smart Rotation, Smart AV, and Cloud IntelliFrame.

Conclusion

Microsoft is ushering in a new era of AI with the introduction of Microsoft Copilot and the integration of AI capabilities across their products and services. The upcoming Windows 11 update brings a wide range of AI-powered features and enhancements, while Bing and Edge redefine the web browsing experience with personalized answers, AI-powered shopping, and advanced image creation. Microsoft 365 Copilot and Bing Chat Enterprise transform the way we work, providing intelligent assistance and deep understanding of our work data. The new Surface devices bring all these AI experiences to life, offering powerful tools for productivity and creativity. With Microsoft Copilot, users can unlock the full potential of AI and enhance their everyday tasks and workflows.