Microsoft made major announcements ahead of its Build conference. They introduced Copilot+ PCs, which are designed to run generative AI processes locally instead of in the cloud. Along with these, new Surface devices were also revealed. Other PC manufacturers have developed laptops that meet the specifications for Copilot+ and include it in their product names. Microsoft claims that Copilot+ PCs are 58% faster than the M3-powered MacBook Air.
The new Surface Laptop comes in 13.8- and 15-inch sizes with slimmer bezels and Qualcomm’s Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite chip. Microsoft boasts that this laptop has the brightest screen they have ever shipped, at 600 nits. It also features a new Studio Camera integrated into the bezel. The Snapdragon X Elite chip is expected to offer improved performance along with impressive battery life. Microsoft claims that the 15-inch model can run for up to 22 hours while playing videos locally and up to 15 hours while actively browsing the web. However, there are some reservations about the performance compared to traditional x86-based devices.
Microsoft also introduced a new emulator called Prism to run older x86 and x64 applications on Arm-based hardware. They have rebuilt the core components of Windows 11 to better support Arm-based hardware and AI, including a new kernel and compiler. Additionally, a feature called Recall was announced, designed to enhance local searches on Windows PCs using artificial intelligence.
In other news, Microsoft is facing backlash from actress Scarlett Johansson for allegedly using her voice without permission for a ChatGPT voice assistant. Despite OpenAI’s denial of using her voice and subsequent discontinuation of its use, Johansson claims that her likeness was used without her consent.
Overall, Microsoft’s recent hardware and software announcements showcase their commitment to integrating AI and improving user experiences. The new Copilot+ PCs and features like Recall demonstrate Microsoft’s efforts to enhance local processing capabilities and streamline search functionality on Windows devices. The introduction of the Snapdragon X Elite chip and Prism emulator also indicate advancements in supporting Arm-based hardware and older applications on Windows 11. However, controversies like the Scarlett Johansson voice incident highlight the challenges tech companies face in ensuring ethical and legal usage of AI technologies.
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https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-microsoft-introduces-its-ai-centric-copilot-pcs-111916490.html
