Month: September 2024

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Microsoft Copilot “Wave 2” is coming…

Copilot Wave 2

Mark your calendars for September 16th, as Microsoft is set to unveil the next phase of Copilot innovation!

Hosted by CEO Satya Nadella and VP of AI at Work Jared Spataro, this short event promises to showcase the next phase of what will continue to evolve the Copilot revolution, which will further see the evolution of what is becoming a game-changer for businesses and tech enthusiasts alike.

What to expect.

There a bunch of things I am expecting to see based on the agenda, the Microsoft 365 Roadmap and other Microsoft posts and community updates. As such here’s what I’m hoping we hear about.

  • Rebranding and New Features: it will be  goodbye to “Copilot in Word” and hello to “Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word”. Yes the kind of re brand and renaming have already announced they are rebranding its Copilot products in a goal  to provide a more cohesive experience and consistency in naming. We have already seen this change from Microsoft 365 Copilot to Microsoft Copilot in Microsoft 365…
  • New Business-Focused Enhancements: With a focus on the business side of Microsoft’s Copilot offerings, they will focus on real life example of how these AI tools can revolutionise the way companies operate with an increased focus on smaller businesses along with enhancement for large enterprises.
  • From Preview to Release: we expect some of the services like Copilot in Excel to finally become “available” after being in preview for a year, updates to PowerPoint and for Team Copilot to go into public preview and more of the roadmap features to start rolling out such as scheduled prompts and proactive catchup.
  • Copilot Pro for consumer: I’m hoping to see updates and new features to Copilot Pro Updates. While details are still “under wraps” , I  anticipate new features will be announced such as being able to reference files (something Copilot in Microsoft 365 already does) and maybe deeper integration into other apps to  make this £19 monthly subscription more worth it.

Registering for the event.

The event is live (and will be available on demand) so to make sure you do not miss out on this chance to elevate your understanding of AI and its potential, Register below.

  • Date: September 16th 2024
  • Time: 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET / 4 PM UK
  • Platform: LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/events/7236780403867443202/

Read the Copilot Public Roadmap: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=Microsoft%20Search%2CMicrosoft%20Copilot%20(Microsoft%20365)

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Copilot+ PCs: A Game Changer for Businesses?

Back in May, Microsoft unveiled the next generation of PCs with the Copilot + PC which was released for consumers. Today (4th September 2024), Microsoft has once again set a new benchmark with the introduction of Copilot+ PCs for Business users.

Like their consumer counter parts, these next generation “AI devices”, which include the Surface Pro 11th Edition and Surface Laptop 7th Edition, are designed to revolutionise productivity and creativity in the business world. Copilot+ PCs are also shipping from other OEMs such as Dell, Lenovo, Acer, HP etc.

Copilot+ PCs are equipped with the most powerful Neural Processing Units (NPUs) available for Windows PCs, delivering blazing-fast processing power. This allows businesses users to handle the toughest tasks with ease, up to 90% faster than previous models. The integration of advanced AI features, such as live captions and real-time translations, ensures that your team can work smarter and more efficiently.

This blog, re-dives into the main differences between Copilot+ PCs and “non-Copilot PCs”, the improvements over previous models, and why these advancements are crucial for businesses and aims to answer the “why now” questions.

Copilot+ PCs vs. Non-Copilot PCs

  1. AI Integration:
    • Copilot+ PCs: These devices are equipped with advanced AI capabilities, thanks to the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that can handle up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This allows for efficient AI processing directly on the device, reducing latency and improving performance. These enable new AI workloads and functions within many applications to be enabled and powered by these new NPUs.
    • Non-Copilot PCs: Traditional PCs rely more on cloud-based AI processing (since they did not have NPUs), or required the CPU to do the grunt work, which can slow down performance and is dependent on internet connectivity.
  2. Performance:
  3. Connectivity:

Power, Performance, Productivity

This is the “why now” for Copilot+ PCs. More than just a device refresh, this new class of devices brings exceptional performance, never seen before battery life and the fastest application performance on Windows to date.

  1. Enhanced Performance: The new Copilot+ PCs feature significant performance upgrades with the Snapdragon® X Elite and X Plus processors. These processors not only boost productivity but also enhance AI processing capabilities, making them ideal for modern business applications.
  2. Incredible Battery Life: Surface Laptop 7th Edition offers up to 22 hours of battery life, a substantial improvement over previous models. This extended battery life ensures that professionals can work longer without needing to recharge, enhancing productivity on the go. Surface Pro 10 offers more than 18 hours in tests.
  3. Blazing App Performance: Microsoft has dedicated significant resources to the developer ecosystem, ensuring seamless performance for both native and emulated apps on Windows on Arm (WoA). The new Prism emulation engine further enhances performance and reduces CPU usage for emulated apps, surpassing even native apps on earlier models.
  4. Built around the user – Surface Copilot+ PCs provide a seamless and intuitive experience. These devices come with features like adaptive colour, optional OLED and HDR displays, and a flexible kickstand (Surface Pro) making them adaptable to any work environment. The all-day battery life (up to 22 hrs) ensures that your people stay productive without frequent interruptions.

Copilot+ PCs – Why Now?

  1. Productivity and Efficiency: The AI capabilities of Copilot+ PCs enable businesses to automate routine tasks, analyse data more efficiently, and make informed decisions faster. This leads to increased productivity and operational efficiency.
  2. Security: Copilot+ PCs come with advanced security features, including the Microsoft Pluton security processor and Windows Hello biometric authentication. Together these provide robust protection against both physical and digital threats and work seemlessly with your device management tools such as Intune. This comprehensive security framework ensures that your data remains safe and easily managed across the organisation. These enhanced security measures in Copilot+ PCs provide a higher level of protection, making them a more secure choice for businesses handling sensitive data.
  3. Flexibility and Mobility: With optional 5G connectivity and extended battery life, Copilot+ PCs allow professionals to work from anywhere without compromising on performance or security. This flexibility is crucial in today’s hybrid work environment.
  4. Developer Support: The Windows Copilot Runtime and the availability of on-device AI models make it easier for developers to integrate AI into their applications. This fosters innovation and allows businesses to leverage AI-driven solutions tailored to their specific needs. Aspects such as Windows Studio Effects that bring Background Blur, Automatic Framing and Voice Focus, Portrait Light, Creative Filters and Eye Contact Teleprompter, can be invoked by developers directly in their applications without having to create models or develop the code.
  5. Future Proofed Investment : As businesses increasingly turn to AI to innovate, having the right hardware is crucial. Surface Copilot+ PCs are built to scale and adapt as AI capabilities evolve, ensuring that your investment remains relevant and valuable. These devices support local development and execution of AI models, providing the agility needed to stay competitive.

What SKUs are available?

As discussed, there are two standout devices – Laptop 7, Pro 11 and the Surface Pro 5G. Here are the key specs and features from a hardware perspective to note:

Surface Laptop 7

  • Launch Date: 12th September 2024
  • Size Options: 13.5″ and 15″
  • Processors: Snapdragon® X Plus / Snapdragon® X Elite
  • NPU: Qualcomm® Hexagon™ (45 TOPs)
  • Graphics: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
  • Cameras: AI enhanced 1440p Quad HD front-facing Surface Studio camera with ultrawide field of view
  • NFC – Allows use of the built-in NFC reader to sign in with an NFC security key.
  • Copilot Key: Yes – for quick access to Copilot in Windows 11

Surface Pro 11

  • Launch Date: 12th September 2024
  • Processors: Snapdragon® X Plus / Snapdragon® X Elite
  • NPU: Qualcomm® Hexagon™ (45 TOPs)
  • Graphics: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
  • Cameras: AI enhanced 1440p Quad HD front-facing Surface Studio camera with ultrawide field of view
  • NFC – Allows use of the built-in NFC reader to sign in with an NFC security key.
  • Copilot Key: Yes – for quick access to Copilot in Windows 11
  • Options: New flex Premium keyboard designed to be used either attached to your Pro for the ultimate laptop set-up or detached as a standalone keyboard for a new level of flexibility.

New Surface Pro 5G

  • Launch Date: October 2024
  • CPU Options: Available with Intel I5/I7 and Snapdragon X Plus / Snapdragon® X Elite
  • NPU: Qualcomm® Hexagon™ (45 TOPs)/ Intel AI boost
  • Graphics: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU / Intel graphics
  • Copilot key: Key – for quick access to Copilot in Windows 11
  • Cameras: AI enhanced 1440p Quad HD front-facing Surface Studio camera with ultrawide field of view
  • NFC– Allows use the built-in NFC reader to sign in with an NFC security key.

Conclusion

Surface Copilot+ PCs stand out due to their advanced AI integration and superior performance. Unlike non-Copilot+ PCs, which may lack dedicated NPUs, Copilot+ PCs offer specialised hardware designed to handle AI tasks efficiently. This results in faster processing times and more accurate AI-driven features.

Video (c) Microsoft

Surface Copilot+ PCs are not just another piece of hardware; they are a strategic investment in your business’s future. By equipping your team with these advanced devices, you can unlock new levels of productivity, security, and innovation, positioning your business for success in an AI-driven world.

You can read more, from Microsoft in the latest community blog update which you can access below: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/surface-it-pro-blog/accelerate-ai-transformation-with-surface-pro-and-surface-laptop/ba-p/4227521?wt.mc_id=MVP_309187

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Windows 11 August (optional) Update: What is new….


As we wait for the big 24H2 update due this autumn, Microsoft has quietly rolled out an optional update (going by the name KB5041587) for Windows 11, bringing a host of improvements and new features.

While this update is not mandatory, it does offer several enhancements that make it worth installing (especially if you have a PC powered by an AMD CPU).

Overall, the KB5041587 update for Windows 11 brings a range of valuable enhancements for users who frequently share files with Android devices, includes improvements to Narrator, voice typing, and File Explorer.

Here’s a breakdown of what this update entails and why you might want to install it.

Performance Boosts for AMD CPUs

One of the most notable improvements in the KB5041587 update is the performance boost for AMD’s latest CPUs. Users with Ryzen 5000, 7000, and 9000 series processors with up to a 13 percent increase in performance.

This enhancement addresses the previously disappointing performance of these CPUs, making it a significant update for AMD users.

Enhanced File Sharing with Android Devices

This update introduces a new feature that allows users to send files directly to an Android phone via Windows Share.

Unlike Nearby Sharing, the Android device does not need to be in close proximity to the PC. Instead, it just needs to be paired via Phone Link.

This feature simplifies the process of transferring photos and documents, making it more convenient and efficient.

Improvements to Narrator and Voice Typing

Windows 11’s Narrator feature, which reads out loud the contents of documents and websites, has received improvements in speed and accuracy.

These enhancements are particularly noticeable when using the Edge browser and reading large documents.

Additionally, voice typing has been optimized to allow for faster spelling of characters and more commands for text manipulation.

Bug Fixes in File Explorer

Several bugs in File Explorer have been addressed in this update. Issues such as the Ctrl + F keyboard shortcut not starting a search and the Shift + Tab shortcut losing keyboard focus have been fixed.

These fixes contribute to a smoother and more reliable user experience when navigating and managing files.

Installing the update

Unlike the regular security and fix updates, the KB5041587 update must be manually installed.

If you wish to install this one, you will need to navigate to Settings > Windows Update and select the update for installation. This manual process ensures that users have control over whether they want to incorporate these new features and fixes.

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