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Why buy a Microsoft Surface? Q&A – Summer 2025

1: What is a “Copilot+ PC” and how does it differ from a regular PC?

A Copilot+ PC is Microsoft’s new category of Windows 11 computers designed from the ground up to supercharge AI-driven experiences. In practical terms, a Copilot+ PC meets certain high-end specifications – minimum of 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a special processor with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 40+ trillion operations per second (TOPS).

When you first bought a computer, you probably looked at the CPU and RAM specs, but not whether it had an NPU. That’s starting to change

This  specification ensures the device can run advanced AI tasks locally, rather than always relying on the cloud. Microsoft introduced Copilot+ PCs as “the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever” that are “purpose-built to unlock AI experiences” for users.

In essence, a Copilot+ PC is “lightning fast, responsive and built to be secure by design” but its real superpower is the built in onboard NPU, which is a dedicated AI engine in the device, enabling new Windows 11 features that previous generation devices can’t access. For example, Copilot+ PCs get exclusive AI capabilities in Windows, such as the new Recall feature that lets you search your PC in plain language and visually retrace your steps to find things you were working on. They also support “natural interaction” including voice-controlled Copilot and real-time image processing without bogging down the CPU. Think of how graphics cards (GPUs) transformed gaming and creative work years ago – NPUs on Copilot+ PCs are similarly ushering in a new era of AI-enhanced computing, from smarter personal assistants to on-the-fly content generation.

Another big difference is that Microsoft is adding features in Windows 11 that only Copilot+ PCs can use. With these devices, Windows can do things like run Cocreator to generate images from your sketches or remove photo backgrounds right on the device. The idea is that an AI-rich PC should actively “copilot” your tasks – helping summarize documents, suggest actions, or automate chores – in ways a typical PC cannot.

To qualify, manufacturers currently use top-tier chips like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus ad Elite or Intel’s Core Ultra series that include powerful NPUs In short, a Copilot+ PC is a new class of PC that’s faster and smarter than traditional models, blurring the line between your computer and an AI assistant by baking intelligence directly into the hardware and operating system.

#2: Microsoft just launched new Surface devices as Copilot+ PCs. Can you tell us about these and what makes them special?

Microsoft has recently expanded the Surface family with two all-new Copilot+ PC devices: the Surface Laptop (13-inch) and the Surface Pro (12-inch). These were announced as “the next chapter of Surface innovation” – ultra-thin, lightweight, yet powerful PCs that bring the Copilot+ experience to more people at more affordable price point than their bigger counterparts.

  • Surface Laptop, 13-inch: This is the thinnest and lightest Surface Laptop ever, designed for ultimate portability without sacrificing performance. It sports a 13-inch vibrant touchscreen with super-slim bezels for an immersive view. Under the hood, it’s powered by the new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor with a built-in NPU (45 TOPS), making it 50% faster than the previous Surface Laptop and faster than Apple’s MacBook Air M3. Surface Laptop 13″ also boasts the longest battery life of any Surface to date, with up to 23 hours video playback or 16 hours of web use on a single charge. It comes in a premium aluminum chassis and fresh colours including Ocean, Violet, and Platinum,and even the accessories got a refresh colour to match. It’s built for a mix of work and play: great for typing with a quiet, comfortable keyboard, and equipped with an AI-enhanced 1080p camera and studio mics  so you look and sound excellent on video calls These start at $899
  • Surface Pro, 12-inch: This is the latest iteration of Microsoft’s 2-in-1 tablet/laptop and is now the smallest, lightest Surface Pro ever. It weighs only about 1.5 pounds, yet packs the same Snapdragon X Plus processor with 45 TOPS NPU as its Laptop sibling. That means it’s extremely fast and smooth, and Microsoft says it achieves 50% faster performance and double the battery life of the Surface Pro 9 from the previous generation.  In real numbers, you get up to 16 hours of local video playback (approx 12 hours web browsing) on a charge, which is fantastic for a device this portable. The 12-inch PixelSense touchscreen is bright and now has an anti-reflective coating (great for use in all lighting). Being a Surface Pro, it retains the iconic kickstand and detachable keyboard design – essentially a tablet that can fully replace a laptop when you attach the keyboard. The Surface Pro’s keyboard has also been redesigned and now lies completely flat when attached (better for lap use or writing). The Surface Slim Pen stylus now magnetically docks on the back of the device for charging, so it’s always with you. These start at  **$799**, bringing the power of an AI-enhanced PC to an ultra-mobile form factor. I love Pro, It’s perfect for creatives or professionals who want to sketch, take notes, or work on the go without carrying a heavy laptop.

These new Surfaces are special because they combine flagship-class performance, AI smarts, and long battery life in thinner, lighter designs  than we’ve seen before. And thanks to their Snapdragon processors with NPUs, they’re true Copilot+ PCs – unlocking the latest Windows AI features that can genuinely assist you throughout the day.

Microsoft say they have taken everything learned from its high-end models and distilled it into more accessible devices.

#3: How do these new Surface Copilot+ devices improve upon previous models like the Surface Laptop 5 or Surface Pro 9?

The generational leaps here are quite significant. Microsoft made improvements across performance, battery life, displays, and even cameras. Here are a few of the standout upgrades:

  • Massive Performance Boost: Both the new Surface Laptop 13″ and Surface Pro 12″ are dramatically faster than their predecessors. Due to the Snapdragon X Plus chip, the 13″ Laptop is about 50% faster than the Surface Laptop 5. The Surface Pro’s jump is even more eye-opening – Microsoft cites up to 90% higher performance over the Surface Pro 9.  These devices wake instantly and handle multitasking or AI tasks with ease, whereas older models might stutter on heavy workloads. Even compared to rival machines, the new Laptop outperforms some of Apple’s latest MacBook Air, showing how far Microsoft has pushed the performance this round.
  • Much Longer Battery Life: Battery longevity saw a huge improvement. The 13″ Surface Laptop offers up to 22-23 hours of video playback on a full charge – roughly double what the Surface Laptop 5 could do. In everyday terms, this is all-day battery life plus some. The Surface Pro 12″ similarly now gets all-day usage, with up to 16 hours of local video playback (versus about 8 hours on the old Pro. In web browsing or mixed use, you’re looking at easily 12+ hours on the Pro and around 15-16 hours on the Laptop. For users, this means you can go from morning to night on these devices without scrambling for a charger – a huge jump from previous models.
  • Better Displays & Graphics: The Surface Pro 12″ has a high-quality PixelSense touchscreen that’s now anti-reflective for improved readability in bright environments. While the Pro 9 introduced a 120Hz display, the new Pro keeps it smooth and adds better outdoor visibility, which many will appreciate. On the larger Surface Pro 11 (the 13-inch model announced alongside the Copilot+ launch), Microsoft even introduced an optional OLED screen for richer colours,  though the 12″ model sticks with a more power-efficient LCD. The 13″ Surface Laptop has a Full HD screen with ultra-thin bezels– a nicer, more modern look compared to the thicker borders on Laptop 5. Graphics performance also improved thanks to the new Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon chip, but perhaps more exciting is how the NPU can assist graphics tasks (like camera effects or AI image processing) without taxing the main processor.
  • Improved Cameras and AV: Microsoft paid attention to the video calling experience. The webcam on the Surface Laptop 13″ is AI-enhanced – it’s 1080p with Auto HDR and AI noise reduction. That means clearer, more balanced video (even in tricky lighting) and cleaner audio on calls. It’s actually the best front camera they’ve put in a Surface Laptop to date, which is great for the age of remote meetings. The Surface Pro 12″ similarly benefits from the Windows Studio Effects via the NPU, offering features like automatic framing and eye contact correction. Overall, these devices will make you look and sound better by default, whereas older Surfaces had more basic cameras.
  • Design and Usability Tweaks: While the overall look remains signature Surface, there are subtle improvements. The Surface Laptop 13″ got even lighter and thinner – you’ll notice it in hand compared to a Laptop 5. It also adds that one-touch fingerprint reader integrated into the power button (on select models) for faster logins which the prior Laptop 5 only offered on some configs. The keyboard on the Surface Pro 12″ has been reworked to sit flat and feel more stable, addressing a common complaint that the older Type Covers would flex. It still magnetically attaches and detaches, but now it can fold fully back, turning the Pro into a flat tablet for drawing – a smoother experience than before. Microsoft also introduced new color options (like Ocean blue and Violet) for both devices and accessories, which give the lineup a fresh look compared to the conservative colours of previous generation devices.
  • AI Integration at the Hardware Level: A less obvious but crucial improvement is the dedicated **Copilot key** on the new keyboards. Neither Surface Laptop 5 nor Surface Pro 9 had a key for summoning the AI assistant (Copilot) – because Copilot itself was new. By adding this button, Microsoft is signaling how central AI is to the device experience; it’s like when PCs first added a “Windows” key. Now with one tap, users can bring up the AI Copilot to do things like compose an email, summarize a document, or adjust settings. That tight integration wasn’t present in older models which only could access such features more indirectly (or not at all if they lacked an NPU).

In short, compared to the last generation, these new Surfaces are far faster and more efficient, they last hours longer, and they refine the user experience with better screens, cameras and input features. Microsoft essentially doubled down on the strengths (performance, battery, premium design) and addressed prior pain points, all while injecting a heavy dose of AI capability. It’s a generational jump that you’ll both feel in day-to-day use (snappier, less charging anxiety) and see in the form of nicer displays and webcams.

#4: These devices are “AI PCs” – what kind of AI or Copilot features can users actually use on them day-to-day?

The term “AI PC” becomes real when you look at the new **Windows 11 Copilot features and other AI-driven tools** that are enabled by the hardware. On a daily basis, a user with a Surface Copilot+ PC can take advantage of several intelligent features:

  • Windows Copilot & AI Assistant**: Front and center is the Windows Copilot, which lives right on your taskbar. With a Copilot+ PC, this assistant is more capable – it’s powered by advanced models (including now OpenAI GPT-4 for language) and can do things via voice or text commands that feel almost like talking to a smart coworker. For instance, you can ask Copilot to summarize a lengthy PDF report or even *“edit my photo to make the background blurry”* and it will do so without needing you to open an app. It’s integrated deeply: you hit the Copilot key (on the new Surface keyboard) or the icon, and you can ask anything from “adjust my display settings to night mode” to “draft an email to my team about this meeting” – the AI will understand the context and execute those tasks.
  • Recall (Preview): This is a very cool (optional) feature unique to Copilot+ PCs. Recall provides a visual timeline of your recent PC activities and lets you search your work history in plain language. Imagine you vaguely remember reading a PDF or visiting a website with a recipe, but can’t recall the name. With Recall, you could literally type “show me the design document I was looking at yesterday” and it will sift through your recent apps, documents, and even browser tabs to find it. In a demo, Microsoft showed searching for an item and Recall even surfaced a relevant Discord chat conversation with a link that was shared. It’s like having a memory assistant for your computer – no more digging through browser history or folders; you just ask in natural terms and the PC’s local AI finds it for you.
  • Click to Do: This is another new AI-powered feature. Essentially, Click to Do can analyze whatever is on your screen – text or image – and suggest actions. For example, suppose someone sends you a block of text with a list of tasks or a meeting agenda. With Click to Do, you might highlight that text and the AI will recognise, “Oh, that looks like actionable items,” and offer to turn them into reminders or a checklist. Or if there’s an address in an email, it could offer a one-click option to open it in Maps. It leverages local AI and cloud AI to save you steps, letting you stay in your flow. This kind of context-aware assistance is only possible on machines with the NPU horsepower for real-time recognition.
  • Live Captions & Real-time Translation: Copilot+ PCs can do heavy audio processing on-device. Live Captions can transcribe any audio playing on your PC (a video, a podcast, a Teams meeting) into captions instantly. What’s more, because of the AI performance, it can even translate those captions on the fly to different languages (Microsoft showcased live caption translation in demos). If you’re hard of hearing or multitasking, this is a game changer – and it works offline since the NPU handles it locally. Studio Effects like background blur, eye contact correction, and voice focus during video calls are also enhanced by AI and run more efficiently on these NPUs
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot & Plugins**: Beyond Windows itself, these Surfaces are ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot (the AI assistant in Office apps). That means in Word, you can ask Copilot to draft a document; in PowerPoint, have it generate slides from an outline; or in Excel, let it analyze data and create a chart for you. While 365 Copilot will work on many PCs, on a Copilot+ device it can tap that local AI to do certain things faster and even work when offline for some tasks. Also, Microsoft is enabling plugins – for example, the Copilot could use services like Jira or Adobe if you allow it – essentially making your AI assistant even smarter about your workflow. These Surface devices are powerful enough to handle those advanced scenarios.
  • Security and Privacy via AI: Interestingly, AI is also improving security on these machines. Windows Hello (facial login or fingerprint) is faster and more secure with new algorithms. The new NPUs work with the Pluton security chip to isolate AI processing of sensitive data. For instance, if you use voice dictation or voice commands, those are processed locally so that audio doesn’t have to be sent to the cloud. Features like Smart Clipboard (which can redact sensitive info using AI) or identifying phishing in real-time benefit from the on-device intelligence.

In everyday use, these features translate to convenience. You might start your day having Copilot summarize your unread emails, use Recall to pull up a file you edited last week without remembering filenames, have a Teams meeting with live captions for accessibility, and perhaps use Copilot in Word to brainstorm a project plan. All of this flows naturally on a Copilot+ Surface. The AI is meant to be like an ever-present helper: it watches for moments to assist (e.g., suggesting replies to a message, or offering to open an app it thinks you need) and is always just a hotkey away when you want to delegate a task. It’s also worth noting Microsoft will keep updating these AI features. They’ve already said more capabilities – like an AI “agent” in Settings that lets you describe a tech issue and then auto-fixes it – are on the way, coming to Insiders first. So your Surface Copilot+ PC will actually get smarter over time, whereas a regular PC might not gain much of this magic due to hardware limits.

#5: Surface devices are known for their design and versatility. How do these new models reflect that – any notable design, build, or usability changes?

Microsoft definitely maintained the premium design ethos of Surface while also making some thoughtful tweaks:

  • Ultra-Portable Build: Both devices are impressively thin and light. The 13-inch Surface Laptop is **smaller and lighter than a typical notebook** – it slides into a bag with ease. You pick it up and it feels almost shockingly light for a metal laptop. The Surface Pro 12-inch, at ~1.5 lbs, is so light you can hold it in one hand like a clipboard. These form-factors embody portability for people who move around a lot.
  • New Colors and Finish: Microsoft introduced new color options this generation, reflecting a more personal, lifestyle vibe. The Laptop comes in **Ocean (a deep blue) and Violet** in addition to the classic Platinum. They have this anodized aluminum finish that’s not just beautiful but durable (it resists scratches well). The Pro’s new keyboard covers come in matching hues like **Slate, Ocean, and Violet**. It’s subtle, but having color-coordinated devices and accessories is a nice touch – it lets users express a bit of personality with their tech.
  • Refined Keyboard and Trackpad: Both models got keyboard improvements. The **Surface Laptop’s keyboard** was already great, but Microsoft tuned it for quietness and comfort since this is a device you might use all day at work or in class. On the **Surface Pro 12″**, the *Type Cover* sees a big improvement – it lies flat now, making it more lap-friendly and solid when typing. The trackpads on these new Surfaces are larger and support precise gestures; they even have **adaptive touch** technology that can adjust sensitivity on the fly. Little things like that add up to a smoother user experience.
  • Copilot Button & Function Keys: A standout addition is the **Copilot key** on both devices’ keyboards. It’s positioned up on the function row (with the new Pro keyboard also adding a dedicated screen lock key and others). The Copilot key has an infinity-loop style icon; tapping it brings up the Windows Copilot pane instantly. This is a clear sign of how Microsoft is integrating AI into the daily workflow – they gave it real estate on the keyboard, which shows they expect users to hit that often. It’s reminiscent of when keyboards added a “calculator” or “email” button in the past, but here it’s for AI assistance at your fingertips.
  • Build Materials and Repairability:** Surface devices have always been premium metal builds, and these are no exception with their machined aluminum bodies. But Microsoft also **pushed sustainability and serviceability** further this time. For example, the new Surface Laptop **uses 100% recycled cobalt in its battery** and recycled rare-earth metals in magnets – that’s a first, pointing toward more eco-friendly manufacturing. Both the Laptop and Pro are also designed to be *more repairable*: many components (battery, SSD, display, etc.) can be replaced by authorized technicians instead of being glued in permanently. In the past, Surfaces were notoriously hard to repair or upgrade, so this is a positive change for longevity. The devices are still very solid and slim, but those internal design changes mean less e-waste over time.
  • Versatility (2-in-1 form factor):** The Surface Pro 12″, true to its lineage, instantly adapts from laptop to tablet to studio mode. Detach the keyboard and you’ve got a tablet for sketching or reading; prop out the kickstand at nearly any angle for watching a movie or presenting – that flexibility is intact and improved with the sturdier hinge. They even engineered the new keyboard so it **magnetically attaches and charges the Slim Pen on the back** side, instead of inside the cover or on the side. This means when you toss the Pro in your bag, the pen is snugly attached and charging, rather than prone to getting lost. It’s a thoughtful tweak for versatility.
  • Robustness for Business: On the enterprise side, the designs also account for durability. The 13″ Surface Laptop’s build was **tested against real-world scenarios** – Microsoft talks about the durable aluminum chassis and even highlights optional ruggedized cases (from partners like UAG or Kensington) to show it can handle bumps and drops if needed. Yet, even with added durability, it remains slim. The screen on both devices has Gorilla Glass and an anti-reflective coating, balancing toughness with readability.

In short, the new Surfaces carry forward that **premium, minimalist design** Surface is known for – clean lines, quality materials, and 3:2 aspect ratio touchscreens – but they also sweat a lot of details. Users will notice the devices are easier to carry, nicer to use for long stretches (thanks to improved keyboard/trackpad and cooling that keeps them fan-quiet), and even subtle things like the anti-glare screen or better speaker placement (for louder, clearer sound) improve the experience. Microsoft even catered to IT folks by **laser-etching QR codes on the chassis for asset management** (making it easy to scan inventory). So they really thought about both the end-user and the support side in these designs. The upshot: these devices feel *refined* – they’re not radical departures in looks, but they’re more polished, user-friendly, and sustainable versions of the Surface formula.

#6: Which Surface devices offer 5G connectivity? I heard there’s a new Surface Laptop 5G – what’s that about?

Until recently, if you wanted a Surface PC with cellular connectivity, your main option was the **Surface Pro 9 with 5G or Surface Pro 10 or 11 for Business. (the Arm-based model Microsoft launched in late 2022). The Surface Pro 9 5G has an integrated 5G modem thanks to its Qualcomm SQ3 processor, and it was actually *the only* Surface Pro 9 variant with any cellular radio. Users who bought that model enjoy always-on internet on the go – as soon as you’re away from Wi-Fi, the device switches to 5G/LTE data so you’re still connected. Microsoft deliberately didn’t put cellular in the Intel Surface Pro models, so the SQ3 5G model filled that niche. It’s a great solution for, say, a mobile professional or student: you can pull out your Surface Pro anywhere and immediately have internet (via eSIM or a physical SIM), much like a smartphone or iPad with LTE/5G.

Now, the exciting news is the introduction of the **new Surface Laptop 5G for Business**. This is the first time a Surface Laptop device has come with built-in 5G connectivity. Essentially, Microsoft took the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop (the Surface Laptop 7 design with Intel chips) and outfitted it with a 5G modem and antennas, creating a special **“Surface Laptop 5G” variant for enterprise users**. This device is **aimed at mobile professionals** who need that constant connectivity but in a traditional laptop form-factor, not a tablet. Under the hood, it’s interesting: instead of using a Qualcomm processor (which has integrated cellular), Microsoft went with an Intel **Core Ultra (13th Gen, Lunar Lake) CPU** for the Surface Laptop 5G, paired with an Intel 5G solution module. That Intel chip still meets the Copilot+ PC requirements by having a built-in NPU above 40 TOPS, so you don’t miss out on the AI features.

What they did was **redesign the laptop’s internal architecture to accommodate 5G**. The Surface team developed a custom six-antenna array and placed it strategically in the laptop’s chassis for optimal reception. They even used a special multi-layered laminate and composite materials in the palm rest to ensure the metal body doesn’t interfere with signal. According to Microsoft, the device can **seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and 5G networks** and was field-tested in over 50 countries with 100+ mobile operators to ensure reliable connectivity worldwide. It supports both nanoSIM and eSIM, and covers global frequency bands – so whether you’re in the office, on a train, or traveling internationally, this laptop can stay connected. In terms of experience, that means one moment you’re on office Wi-Fi, and when you step outside, you’re transparently handed off to 5G data without missing a beat. It can even act as a mobile hotspot for your other devices if needed.

So to sum up **the Surface devices with 5G**:
– **Surface Pro 9 (5G)** – the 13-inch 2-in-1 tablet with Microsoft SQ3 Arm processor and 5G, which was the first Surface PC to offer 5G connectivity. It’s fanless, always-connected, and great for tablet use cases.
– **Surface Laptop 5G (13.8-inch, Business)** – the newly announced laptop with Intel Core Ultra, featuring built-in 5G via a custom design, shipping starting August 26, 2025. This one is targeted at business users who need a no-compromise laptop that’s mobile. It’s essentially a Surface Laptop 7 variant with cellular. Microsoft hasn’t announced a consumer version with 5G (perhaps because many consumers tether phones instead), so it’s mainly a business product for now.

It’s worth noting that other Surface products historically have had 4G LTE options (for example, older Surface Pro models and Surface Go 2/3 offered LTE Advanced versions), but **5G is newer to the lineup**. The Surface Pro 9 5G introduced that capability, and now Surface Laptop 5G expands it. Microsoft chose to bring 5G to the business Laptop first, likely because a lot of enterprise customers requested a connected laptop for their field workforce. There’s no Surface Pro 12 or Pro 11 with 5G announced yet – the new smaller Pro uses Qualcomm but is Wi-Fi only. So moving forward we might see more 5G in Surfaces, but at this moment, **the Pro 9 (5G) and the new Laptop 5G are your go-to Surface devices for cellular connectivity**. If you need to be online anytime, anywhere, those are the models to consider.

#6: With all these models in the Surface lineup now – Pro tablets, Laptops in different sizes, and even a 5G model – how should one choose the right Surface device? Who are these for?

The Surface lineup indeed has grown, and each device is tailored for particular user needs. Here’s a breakdown to help choose:

– **Surface Pro (12-inch and 13-inch models)**: If you value **versatility and pen input**, the Surface Pro line is ideal. The new **Surface Pro 12″ Copilot+** is the thinnest, lightest option – great for note-takers, artists, or anyone who wants the flexibility of a tablet that can become a laptop[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://blogs.windows.com/devices/2025/05/06/introducing-all-new-surface-copilot-pcs-the-surface-pro-12-inch-and-surface-laptop-13-inch/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “2”). It’s also the most affordable entry into Copilot+ PCs at $799, so it’s attractive to students and mobile professionals. The larger **Surface Pro 13″ (Pro 11)**, which was announced with a 13-inch screen and even an OLED option[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/everything-microsoft-just-announced-copilot-plus-pcs-surface-pro-and-laptop-running-on-qualcomm/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “3”), might suit someone who wants that extra screen real estate for multitasking or drawing, and perhaps a bit more performance (it can be configured with a more powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip and up to 64GB RAM[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.ytechb.com/all-copilot-plus-pcs-list/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “4”)). In general, Surface Pros are for the **tech-savvy on-the-go** – people who might sketch one minute, type an email the next, and present a slideshow after that. They weigh under 2 pounds, so you barely notice them in your bag. If you need 24/7 connectivity, note that only the older Pro 9 5G has cellular. The newest Pro models (12″ and 13″) are Wi-Fi only, so you’d tether or use a hotspot if needed.

– **Surface Laptop (13-inch Copilot+ and 13.8/15-inch Laptop 7)**: If you prefer a **traditional laptop form factor** (no detachables, just open-and-go clamshell) and a built-in keyboard, the Surface Laptop family is your pick. The **Surface Laptop 13″ Copilot+** is perfect for those who want extreme portability but primarily do laptop things (web browsing, Office apps, video calls) with the occasional AI boost. It’s very light, has extraordinary battery life[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://blogs.windows.com/devices/2025/05/06/introducing-all-new-surface-copilot-pcs-the-surface-pro-12-inch-and-surface-laptop-13-inch/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “2”), and at $899 it’s positioned well for college students, teachers, or entrepreneurs who move around campus or the city. On the other hand, the **Surface Laptop 7 (13.8″ and 15″)** models – which Microsoft released for more performance-hungry users – are a bit larger and heavier but offer bigger screens and more power. The 15-inch Surface Laptop is great if you need a roomy display for things like spreadsheets, movies, or multitasking with split-screen windows. Those Laptop 7s can be configured with either the same Snapdragon chips or Intel Core Ultra chips[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/laptops/microsoft-introduces-new-intel-powered-surface-laptop-7-and-surface-pro-11-copilot-pcs?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “8”), so you have flexibility if your work relies on certain x86 apps (some businesses still need Intel for compatibility). They’re pricier – starting around $1,100 for 13.8″ and higher for 15″ – and aim at professionals who want a balance of performance and portability. Essentially, choose a Laptop if you mostly type and don’t need a pen tablet, and pick the size based on how portable vs. how expansive you want your screen.

– **Surface Laptop 5G (13.8″, Business)**: This is a bit of a specialty device – it’s for the **road warriors** in the enterprise world. Think of consultants, field engineers, salespeople constantly traveling. They get the reliability of a Surface Laptop (excellent keyboard, sleek design) *plus* always-on 5G connectivity for team collaboration from anywhere[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/surfaceitpro/boost-mobile-productivity-with-surface-laptop-5g-for-business-and-surface-copilo/4429940?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “6”). It’s only offered to business channels right now and likely at a premium price (since even the non-5G Intel model was ~$1,499). So, if your job takes you out of the office often and your company issues high-end gear, the Surface Laptop 5G could be your best companion – no need to tether to your phone, just open it and you’re connected securely to your corporate network on the go.

– **Other Surface Devices**: While not explicitly covered in this Copilot+ launch, it’s worth mentioning the broader lineup. There’s the **Surface Laptop Studio 2** (last refreshed in 2023) which is the powerhouse with a unique flip-down display – great for creative professionals who need GPU horsepower for design, 3D or video editing. However, Microsoft has been streamlining the lineup post-2023, and the Laptop Studio and Surface Studio desktop are higher-end niche devices (and not part of the Copilot+ wave yet). For most people, the choice will be between a Surface Pro vs. Surface Laptop form factor. And if you’re more budget-conscious or have basic needs, previously Microsoft had the **Surface Go** line (a smaller 10-inch budget 2-in-1) and **Surface Laptop Go**, which are more entry-level. Those don’t have the Copilot+ level specs (nor 5G), but they’re simple and affordable for casual use – though as AI features become more central, the Go line might evolve too.

To decide, ask yourself: *Do I need a tablet or a laptop?* If you need to draw, annotate, read comfortably or be ultra-mobile – go with a Surface Pro. If you mostly type and prefer the stability of a laptop in your lap, go with a Surface Laptop. **Screen size** is the next factor: 12-13″ is highly portable, 15″ gives you more room for work and media. **Connectivity**: if you require cellular, your current option is the Surface Pro 9 5G (tablet) or the new Surface Laptop 5G (laptop) on the business side. **AI and Performance needs**: rest assured, any Copilot+ labeled Surface will handle everyday tasks and AI features well. The differences come if you have specific heavy workflows – e.g., if you edit videos you might lean to a model with higher RAM or an Intel chip for software compatibility.

The good news is that all these Surfaces maintain a consistent quality and experience: high-resolution 3:2 touchscreens, great build quality, Windows Hello login, and they all run Windows 11 with the latest updates. They even share many accessories. So it’s hard to go wrong. It really boils down to whether you want the tablet flexibility or a classic laptop, and what screen size feels right. Microsoft has essentially **filled out the lineup** so that there’s a Surface for almost every use-case – from students with the ultra-mobile Pro 12, to coders or writers who might love the Laptop 13, to designers who might use a larger device. And all the new ones announced come with that Copilot+ DNA, meaning whichever you pick, you’re getting a taste of that AI-accelerated future of computing. Microsoft’s product lead summed it up well: we now have **“great experiences for great value”** across different form factors, so users can choose the device that best fits their working style[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “2”).

Sources.

https://blogs.windows.com/devices/2025/05/06/introducing-all-new-surface-copilot-pcs-the-surface-pro-12-inch-and-surface-laptop-13-inch

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Microsoft 365 Copilot now powered by GPT-5

Yes… Microsoft are updating Microsoft 365 Copilot with support for GPT-5 across the Microsoft Al stack. This is live now and rolling out across Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio after being made available to “Insiders” on Copilot consumer/personal last week.


This quick incorporation of GPT-5 into Copilot underscores Microsoft’s pledge to integrate OpenAI’s cutting-edge models into the their AI products within 30 days of availability.

What is so great about GPT-5?

GPT-5 in Copilot is built on a dual-engine (think two brain approach) architecture designed to better align to the way humans think. It will. Adapt the “mode” based on the ask and type of response of work needed.

  • Real-time routing: rather having to choose the model (such as deep thinker or research), for every prompt, Copilot now automatically evaluates the prompt and it’s complexity and then selects the ideal GPT-5 sub-model for the response.
  • High-throughput model : Tackles routine tasks quickly, delivering succinct answers to straightforward requests. 
  • Deep-reasoning model: Which engages when advanced analysis or creativity is needed, taking time to plan, verify context, and ensure accuracy before responding.

This adaptive model selection brings together speed and depth, and can change within the same conversation. This means as your conversation with Copilot evolves so does the way it responds, without the user having to change modes.

(c) Microsoft

Open AI’s CEO Sam Altman said that “the new model, GPT-5, is its smartest and fastest to date with wide-ranging improvements to ChatGPT’s skills in areas like coding, writing and taking on complex actions.”

How GPT-5 in Copilot shifts the conversation.

GPT-5 builds on GPT-4 with:

  • A vastly expanded context window (up to 100K tokens) – on average a token is equivalent to about four characters of an English word.
  • Improved reasoning and multi-step problem solving without having to manually choose the model up front. Can also switch dynamically in the same conversation.
  • Enhanced memory and recall capabilities
  • Support for multimodal inputs (text, image, audio)… Note output is still text!
  • Faster, and much more accurate responses

Copilot with GPT-5 isn’t just smarter—it’s more practical too. The increased token input also means it can handle entire project folders, analyse longer documents, and deliver context-aware outputs that feel tailored to your workflow and chosen format.

Image a scenario where I ask Copilot to “Summarise a new solution proposition“. This would trigger GPT-5’s high-throughput route, scanning the document or documents to return a concise summary as per the ask.

When I then ask Copilot to “review this against best practise examples, and make suggestions fornimprovement and then create me a ‘better’ version based on your suggestions“, Copilot will seamlessly switch to use it’s deep reasoning mode. You know it has switched modes as you literally see it think.

GPT-5 Agents in Copilot Studio

People or teams building specialised workflows or agents in Copilot Studio now also get support for GPT-5 which is now the primary engine for custom agents.

GPT-5 better enables agents to tackle more complex processes like compliance audits or financial modeling with greater precision and contextual awareness than previous GPT powered agents.

How to use GPT-5 in Microsoft 365 Copilot

GPT-5 support in Copilot is available now for licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot users. Once rolled out to your environment, users will  see a new “Try GPT-5 button” in Copilot Chat. Once activated, Copilot will leverage GPT-5 across your work and web data by default.

A Microsoft 365 Copilot License grants priority access, with broader rollout to Copilot Chat only users rolling out over the next few weeks.

Is it better?

My suggestions

Compare a prompt such as:  “Summarise my emails from the last week, determine which ones require actions and break them down into high impact, low impact and trivial based on your analysis“.

Try this and try this again with GPT-5 enabled.

Try longer prompts…you can essentially now. Feed Copilot with…

  • A full business proposal
  • A multi-tab Excel workbook
  • A folder of Markdown files or code
  • A long-form research paper with citations

…it can handle all of it in one prompt, as long as the total token count stays under 100K.

It’s important to note that the prompt is just part of the context window. The model also needs room for its response. So if you use 80,000 tokens for input, you’ll have ~20,000 tokens left for output. Hopefully that makes sense.!

This isn’t just summarising anymore—it’s deep analysis, synthesis, and contextual understanding across dozens (or hundreds) of pages.

Read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/08/07/available-today-gpt-5-in-microsoft-365-copilot/

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Microsoft is now a $4 trillion company

Last week, Microsoft crossed $4 trillion market valuation, becoming the second company after Nvidia to hit the milestone.

This was off the back of their FY25 earning report in which they posted a better-than-expected result that pushed up their market capitalisation past the $4 trillion mark. This was fuelled by Microsoft reporting $76.4 billion in revenue, an 18% year-over-year increase, and $27.2 billion in net income, marking a 24% jump from the previous year.

“Cloud and AI is the driving force of business transformation across every industry and sector” | Satya Nadella | CEO, Microsoft.

Microsoft’s AI strategy is no longer speculative—it’s operational,as they also disclosed that Copilot  now serve over 100 million monthly active users.

Microsoft’s Azure cloud division emerged as the standout performer, with revenue jumping 39% compared to analyst estimates of 34.75%.

This milestone isn’t just a headline; it’s a signal flare for the future of enterprise technology, cloud infrastructure, and AI-powered transformation.

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What is Copilot Mode in Edge?

After being in preview for a while, Copilot Mode has now officially arrived in Microsoft Edge (just as Google have announced their AI mode).

Copilot Mode Toggle

This shows the shift away from the traditional ways we use search engines in browsers where we are juggling tabs and search bars to the future of search where instead we interact with a single, context-aware AI assistant…like Copilot.

A Single Input for Chat, Search, and Navigation

For years, browsers have followed the same routine: open tabs, search, scroll, repeat. But with AI reshaping how we live and work online, it’s time to ask our browsers can now finally do much much more.

Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge is a new experimental experience that turns your browser into an intelligent collaborator. It’s been in testing for a while and is designed to help you stay focused, cut through clutter, and anticipates what you might need or want to do next.

In Copilot Mode, you get a new clean input field at the top of each new tab which works in three ways:

  • Allows for free-form queries such as “What’s the best time to visit the Isle of Wight for festivals?”
  • Assists in direct navigation, for example “Open my Blog Site”
  • Enables conversational prompts such as “Summarise the devices across these open tabs and list main advantages of each product I’ve been looking at”.

Unifying these experiences makes edge feels less like a collection of different l UI elements and more like a well thought out, integrated experience powered by AI!

Context Travels Across Your Tabs

One of my favourite things about the EdgeCopilot Mode’s is its ability to “see” and reason over your open tabs (when you opt in). This is an opt in experience with the  permission toggle living front and center. Once enebwled though, Copilot to see your all your tables which means you can upgrade your search experience buy, for example:

  • Comparing prices and features across multiple shopping sites
  • Compile research snippets and information from different articles or resources into a single summary or document.
  • Highlight contradictions or gaps in the information you’ve gathered across multiple pages/tabs


In my initial playing around, I let Copilot Mode review a dozen tabs on different beaches that were dog friendly. Within seconds, I had a side-by-side comparison of locations, and time and date restrictions.

Delegating Repetitive Tasks

Beyond analysis, Copilot Mode performs actions on your behalf. With simple text or voice commands, you can ask it to:

  • Open, close, or pin tabs 
  • Extract key data points from a page (dates, figures, contact info)
  • Cross-reference details between sites (“Which of these three hotels has better guest reviews?”) 

You can also of course “talk” to Copilot. As an example, I said aloud, “Pull the top three quotes for API integration services and email them to my team.” Copilot Mode located the relevant pages, skimmed out the quotes, and drafted an email in Outlook—all without leaving Edge.

Control Over Privacy and Security

Privacy controls and choice are at the moment of Copilot Mode. You choose when to share itab context, voice access, or browsing history. In short:

  • All data stays local unless you explicitly share it.
  • You can disable Copilot Mode entirely at any time and revert back to the classic experience at any time.
  • The feature adheres to the same security standards as the rest of Edge .

Initial impressions

After a couple of weeks of using Copilot Mode as my primary browser interface on Edge I found that incertaibly saw efficiency gains when collecting and comparing information across different sites, though it’s different to how you traditionally use a browser so takes a bit of time to be part of your browser “muscle memory”.

I also found the handoff from traditonal browsing to active task completion  with Copilot pretty seemlessly and easy. You are not stuck in one mode.

There is more coming as Microsoft have talked opening in their blog about deeper integrations such as auto page summarisation without context switching, AI-powered tab grouping, and browser themes that adapt to your workflow. I expect these to come to Insider and beta users soon.

How to try Copilot Mode in Edge

Cpilot Mode is now generally availble for anyone to try in latest Edge release for both Windows and Apple Mac. To enable and test it out follow these simple instructions:

1. Update Edge to the current build 
2. Enable Copilot Mode: Settings > New Tab Page 
3. Grant permissions for multi-tab context or voice commands to suite preference.
4. Type or speak your first command in the unified Copilot/Search input box.

Copilot Mode toggle

You can also head over to aka.ms/copilot-mode

Would love to know how you find it? How does it compare to other browsers or the new AI mode Google have just released?

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What is Copilot Smart Mode?

Copilot Modes July 2025

It snuck in quietly, like all meaningful innovations do. I didn’t see a press release, or announcement – and just saw it “pop” up for me today with one small pop-up. Just one single word, Smart. And yet, beneath the understated label lies perhaps the most pivotal shift in the way generative AI models like Copilot and ChatGPT work since manual “model selectors” first became a thing.

This is, yes, you’ve guessed it GPT5!

Smarter Than Smart – the quiet revolution of reasoning

Copilot (i’m talking the consumer version currently at copilot.microsoft.com) or via the Windows, IOS and Android app, currently has three modes of chat which you choose based on the discussion with Copilot you want to have. This is similar to how ChatGPT works also today.

  • Quick Response [for every day conversations]
  • Think Deeper [for more complex topics]
  • Deep Research [Detailed reports with references]

That is changing – Microsoft Copilot’s new ‘Smart’ mode doesn’t ask you to choose a conversation type anymore. Instead it now adapts for you – automatically and intuitively.

This means, that depending on your query, for example whether you’re scoping customer insights, untangling a tricky dependency in a network diagram, or storytelling your way through a general chat, summarisation of marketing ideas, ‘Smart’ mode calibrates itself to the conversation and task at hand.

In short – in this mode, Copilot will now decide what model it thinks it needs to help you. Copilot has auto reasoning — true adaptive, context-aware reasoning based on the ask.

What Makes This Mode Smart?

‘Smart’ mode is likely powered by OpenAI’s upcoming GPT-5, a model anticipated to merge the OpenAI o-series and GPT-series models into one unified framework.

What we’re seeing as these models evolve is:

  • An intuitive reasoning engine, not just predictive text- task “and” context aware
  • Self-calibrating depth, reducing cognitive load by using the right tool for the right job
  • Model abstraction, freeing users from having to pick the right tool for the job themselves

Microsoft hasn’t just added another dial. It’s looking to hide the dial entirely — and taught the model how to turn it for you (however as it’s in preview you do need to turn the auto mode on – for now at least).

Copilot’s Human Centric UX

As you can see above, instead of users needing to flip between “Think Deeper,” “Quick Response,” and “Deep Research,” (or not evening understanding what these mean and therefore ignoring it), Copilot’s Smart mode does what most tools never do: it assumes responsibility. That’s more than a UX shift — it’s a culture shift. This means no longer asking (non technical) users to understand what the different models the model hierarchy or decoding acronyms like o4-mini. Instead Copilot is getting cognitive delegation.

This means we will be able to “trust”Copilot to know when to dig deeper and when to skim the surface.

Examples: Tech Architects, Storytellers, and Strategists

The table below gives some examples of where Copilot Smart mode can make a big different in use:

RoleBefore Smart ModeWith Smart Mode
Solution ArchitectManually toggling depth based on task complexityInstant adjustment to scope and context
Content Creator/MarketingSelecting modes based on tone and detail requiredNatural flow from quip to deep dive
EnginnerTesting prompts for clarity vs depthGetting both — with nuance — the first time

This isn’t just about being faster. It’s about being right-sized. Strategically aligned, creatively agile, and cognitively respectful.

What about control and “mode anxiety”?

We’ve all wrestled with prompt engineering, hoping we’re not asking too little or too much. Smart mode is Copilot whispering, “I’ve got you.” That’s a leap from assistant to partner — the kind we’ve spent decades trying to design into our workflows, team cultures, and tech stacks.

Copilot Smart Mode Preview?

This is in preview clearly – or was it rolled out silently. Anyway, if you have it, give it a try (I have it on desktop and web plus mobile). Let me know your thoughts.

It will be interesting to see if eventually the modes disappear and we just have an “auto” mode.

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Palo Alto to buy CyberArk for $25B: Reinforcing the AI-Era of Identity Security

Palo Alto Networks has agreed to acquire Israeli identity-security specialist CyberArk for $25B which marks the largest acquisition yet by Palo Alto with this deal taking their total acquisition spree to $33 billion since 2018.

Why are Palo Alto buying CyberArk?

With hackers increasingly weaponising AI and machine identities, rapid detection and shutting down privileged-access breaches has never been more mission-critical.

CyberArk, which has more than 10,000 customers globally, features advanced PIM (privileged access management) which locks down which users and service accounts can access sensitive data and systems. Integrating CyberArk lets Palo Alto pitch an end-to-end portfolio that secures human users, system accounts and and AI “agents” users.

Identity and security are converging  highlighting the need for a true Identity Security platform said Palo Alto said in their press release. They they aim to deliver Identity Security for agentic AI to secure the new wave of autonomous AI agents by providing foundational controls for this emerging class of privileged identities. They say this will provide their customers with the optimal combination of best of breed technology and integrated platforms to deliver near real-time security outcomes.

Security vendors betting big on AI Defence

Just last year (in 2024) Palo Alto acquired IBM’s QRadar SaaS assets and IP for $1.1B and then spent  $700 million on startup Protect AI, beefing up their AI-centric threat-hunting tools.

It’s not just Palo either. Google have acquired  Wiz for $32 billion, and last year Cisco closed its $28B Splunk deal in 2024, underscoring that cybersecurity scale and AI readiness are critical to growth, protection for their customers and necessary to defend against the AI powered bad actors!

Identity security is at its inflection point. Every identity—human or machine—requires the right privilege controls. The rise of AI only magnifies this need.

Reflection

This is another huge acquisition in the security space showing how the industry giants continue to get bigger and bolder with eye watering acquisitions. This is the AI Security race.

It will be interesting to see what other acquisitions are in the cards this year from the other security giants.

I wouldn’t be suprised if we see more acquisitions from Cisco, Forinet, Juniper (HPE) and Microsoft in this space.

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Copilot Memory is Rolling Out

What Is Copilot Memory?

Copilot Memory is a new capability within Microsoft 365 Copilot (similar to what ChatGPT has) that allows Copilot to remember key facts about your preferences, working style, ongoing projects, and other things you want it to know about you. This enables it (think PA) to be able to tailor its responses over time. You can add and change this as needed so it evolves with you, reducing repetitive prompts, adapting to your style and speeding up your daily tasks.

Key Capabilities

  • Persistent Facts
    Copilot picks up on explicit instructions like “Remember I prefer bullet points in my writing” or “Always use a formal tone in emails” and retains these details across sessions.
  • Custom Instructions
    Beyond passive memory, you can proactively shape Copilot’s baseline behavior. Ask for brevity, wit, or a specific document style, and Copilot applies those instructions automatically in Word, Excel, Outlook, and other 365 apps.
  • Contextual Recall
    Copilot integrates with Microsoft Graph and ContextIQ to ground conversations in your files, meetings, and chats, ensuring its outputs align with your latest work context.

How It Works

  1. Explicit Memory Prompts
    Copilot only stores information when you ask it to. This prevents unwarranted data collection and keeps your AI focused on what matters to you.
  2. Memory Updated Signal
    Whenever it logs a new fact, you’ll see a subtle “Memory updated” badge—confirmation that Copilot has learned something new about your preferences.
  3. Privacy Controls
    You can control its memory: You can view, edit, or delete entries in Copilot’s Settings pane and if you need to can wipe it’s memory and start fresh by simply toggle the Memory function off entirely.
  4. Admin and Compliance Oversight
    Organisations can disable Memory for specific users or tenant-wide, and all memory actions flow into Purview eDiscovery for audit and compliance purposes.

Timeline & Availability

Rollout date: July 2025 (staged)

Why Copilot Memory Matters

  • Efficiency Gains
    This is really about efficiency and personalisation since you will no longer need to keep telling Copilot your preferred tone or formatting preferences. This speeds up document creation, email drafting, and data analysis.
  • Deep Personalisation
    By remembering your recurring topics—Project Alpha, Python for data science, or icon-size images—Copilot provides responses that are more tailored to each user, not generic AI outputs.
  • Enhanced Adoption
    For organisations, personalised AI interactions drive higher engagement and adoption of Copilot across teams, leading to greater ROI on AI investments.
  • Trust & Transparency
    Visible memory updates and clear controls build user confidence in the AI, ensuring you always know what Copilot retains and why.

Enabling Copilot Memory

Memory is an option feature and can be enabled, modified and disabled as needed. To enable it, follow the instructions below.

  1. Open Microsoft 365 Copilot and head to Settings › Account › Privacy.
  2. Under Personalisation & memory, toggle Memory on or off.
  3. Tell Copilot what to remember: “Remember I prefer bulleted lists,” or “Keep my summaries under 100 words.”
  4. View, edit, or delete memories any time from the same settings pane.
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Recap in Teams gets “eyes” to capture screen sharing content

Coming soon, Copilot in Teams will improve on its intelligent meeting recap feature by incorporating content shared on screen into the AI-generated summary. This will ensure that slides, dashboards, and other visuals shown by participants become part of the post-meeting recap, capturing unspoken insights and making your summaries more comprehensive.

Visual Insight for Deeper Recaps

Meeting transcripts are great for meetings but currently miss the context conveyed by visuals in screen sharing. With this update, Copilot and Recap in Teams will:

  • Analyse on-screen content during live screen sharing.
  • Extract key data points, figures, and text from slides or shared apps.
  • Seamlessly integrate those visual details into the AI-powered meeting summary.

By bridging voice and visuals, teams gains a unified recap that reflects both spoken dialogue and pivotal on-screen information, reducing the risk of overlooked action items.

How Intelligent Capture Works

For Copilot to reference shared screen content accurately, the following conditions apply:

  • The shared content must remain on screen for at least 10 seconds to allow Teams OCR time to process it.
  • Content needs to be clear and legible; overly crowded or small text may not be captured.
  • At launch, PowerPoint Live and Whiteboard screen shares aren’t supported for visual extraction.

These requirements help ensure Copilot’s OCR and contextual understanding produce reliable, actionable summaries.

Licensing and Platform Support

This feature requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and will roll out to:

  • Teams for Windows desktop
  • Teams for Mac desktop
  • Teams on the web
  • Teams on iOS and Android

Prereqs for Intelligent Recap

To unlock the full benefits of intelligent recap, admins need to configure:

  • Recording policies that allow meetings to be recorded and stored in the cloud.
  • Transcription settings to capture spoken content as text.
  • Copilot or Teams Premium licenses assigned to meeting organizers and participants.

Other Related Innovations

Microsoft continues to expand Copilot and adjacent AI features in Teams. Recent roadmap highlights include:

  • Interactive agents in meetings and 1:1 calls (Roadmap ID 490564), bringing custom and built-in Copilot agents directly into your Teams sessions for on-the-fly assistance.
  • Meeting protection via Prevent Screen Capture (ID 490561), which blocks unauthorised screenshots by blacking out the meeting window on desktop and mobile.
  • Enhanced audio summaries for calls, enabling Copilot to generate concise overviews even without full transcription.

Best Practices for use

  • Encourage meaningful screen shares: Use high-contrast slides and clear visuals to boost AI accuracy.
  • Maintain recording consistency: Standardize meeting settings to always enable recording and transcription.
  • Train your team on how to query Copilot post-meeting—e.g., asking for “action items from the product roadmap slides.”
  • Review AI-generated tasks promptly to assign ownership and follow through on deliverables.

Conclusion

Incorporating visuals into AI-powered recaps marks a significant leap forward for Copilot in Teams. Capturing both spoken and on-screen content ensures no detail goes unnoticed.

With the upcoming rollout of this feature under Roadmap ID 490052, Copilot will help teams stay aligned, save time on note-taking, and drive better outcomes from every meeting.

For more details on enabling intelligent recap in your org, visit Microsoft Learn article on intelligent recap prerequisites and policies.

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Why Microsoft Is Phasing Out Passwords for good.

TL;DR

Microsoft is removing password support from its Authenticator app this summer. As of June, you haven’t been able to add new passwords; in July autofill stops working; and by August all saved passwords will be deleted. The replacement?

FIDO-based passkeys that are stored encrypted on your device and use biometrics / PIN for phishing-proof sign-ins.

The Password Problem

Passwords have been the backbone of online security for decades and the way we into most our work and online services like shopping sites, email, Snapchat etc.. You name it.

But.. They are a huge weak link and the primary way people and companies get hacked and online identities stolen!

  • Microsoft report they see password account attacks in the realm of  7,000 attempts per second against Microsoft consumer accounts alone.
  • People reuse weak or memorable passwords across dozens of sites because they are hard to remember
  • Password managers whilst helpful, provide a single attack space for hackers.
  • Phishing, brute-force and database leaks make passwords a persistent liability and AI in increasing the number of attacks.

Microsoft’s stats show password success rates (getting a log in correct with your password) of 32%, compared with 98% for passkeys—proof that passwords aren’t just less secure, they’re also more error-prone and easier to use once set up.

What Are Passkeys?

Passkeys are an evolution of authentication built on FIDO (Fast Identity Online) standards. Here’s what makes them different:

  • Stored only on your device protected by your Pin and Biometrics and never on a central server. 
  • Rely on biometrics (Face ID, fingerprint) or a local PIN. 
  • Immune to phishing and replay attacks because there’s no password to steal. 
  • Seamless: once set up, you tap or scan to log in anywhere passkeys are supported.
  • Easier to use since you don’t have to remember complex passwords.

Microsoft Authenticator Timeline

To ease the transition away from storing passwords and moving to passkeys, Microsoft has shared the process which started last month.

  • June 2025: Microsoft disabled ability to add new passwords to Authenticator.      
  • July 2025: Password autofill in Authenticator is disabled.            
  • August 2025: All passwords saved in Authenticator are permanently deleted (export before then).

Keeping/Exporting  your passwords.

If you want to export your passwords stored in Authenticator you can. These can then be imported into other password managers. To do this:

  • Open Authenticator
  • Goto Passwords, then Export.
  • Save the CSV file securely or import it into another password manager.
  • If you still rely on passwords, migrate them to Microsoft Edge’s built-in vault or a third-party manager like 1Password.

Start creating Passkeys.

  • Still in the Authenticator app or via your Microsoft account’s security settings, select Passkeys > Add new passkey.  
  • Follow the prompts to register with Face ID, fingerprint or PIN.

Update your accounts to use Passkeys

  • This is unfortunately a bit laborious, since you will need to visit each website or service that offers passkey login and link your new passkey.

Why go Passwordless.

There’s a heap of reasons once you’ve got past the process of creating Passkeys.

  • Stronger Security: No password to steal means it’s virtually impossible to phish or brute-force your credentials. 
  • Better Usability: Unlock with a quick biometric scan or PIN—no more juggling complex passwords. 
  • Future-Proof: Passkeys and the move to passwordless is backed by all major identity provider platforms (Microsoft, Cisco, Apple, Google, Amazon) and over 15 billion accounts already support them.
  • The industry is moving to passwordless: all the tech giants are moving this was to finally try to rid the world of passwords. Apple, Google and Amazon have also committed to a passwordless future. Whether it’s signing into an app, online banking or shopping, passkeys are becoming the universal standard.

Today, the use of passkeys is growing but with the tech giants behind the Phasing out of passwords they will soon be the way we sign into all. Out online services.

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What actually is Agentic AI?

So, I was delivering an AI awareness session earlier this week to 120 eight- to ten-year-olds at my sons’ school. In the Q&A bit, one of the children asked me – “What is Agentic AI?”. Needless to say, I was quite surprised to be asked that question by a nine-year-old. We actually decided to us AI to explain it to the class…. which I must say it did a better job that I would have done.

Agentic AI Explanation for a ten-year-old.

Here is what AI said: “imagine you’ve got a super-duper smart robot friend. This friend doesn’t just follow orders and obey instructions like a regular robot. It is like a super robot, the Dyson of Robots. This Robot can make decisions on its own, like deciding what to do next or how to do something when you haven’t taught it. ‘

Agentic AI’ is like that robot friend, but way more advanced. It can make its own choices, set its own goals, and figure out how to achieve them, almost like it’s got its own mind but by following a set of guidelines and rules. So, it’s not just reacting to commands, it’s thinking ahead and planning like a little strategist!”

Agentic AI for everyone else

I was then thinking, well what if you don’t work in an IT role. Does everyone know what Agentic AI is? It is certainly the buzz term of 2025 and certainly a leap forward from the “chat bots” we have played around with over the past 2 years or so with ChatGPT, Copilot etc.

I was then thinking about how I need to explain Agentic AI to some my co-workers so in my usual style I wanted to write it down to get my wording right. here’s what I came up with which I think and hope anyone can understand. As such I wanted to share it.

So…..

Think of agentic AI as more of “system” than a chat bot. Unlike a chat bot which is generally more about responding to a request or returning information, Agentic AI operates with a high degree of autonomy. Rather than just follows predefined instructions or responding based on information it has been fed/trained on, agentic AI can set its own objectives and determine. by itself, the best course of action to achieve them. This is a very different approach to what we have seen before now since it can not only executes tasks but also identifies opportunities, develops strategies, and takes initiative without constant oversight or being asked.

This has the potential to be a powerful tool in many different roles and organisations. Here’s a few examples I have pulled together based on some of the customer converations and usecases we are exploring at the moment.

Agentic AI Use Cases

  1. Healthcare : Agentic AI could proactively identify potential health risks in patient data, following or before treatment, suggest personalised treatment plans, and even coordinate with pharmacy and supply chains to ensure medication availability. It could even be used to help patients better understand their health and nurses better explain to patients.
  2. Gym: It could create personalised workout plans for members, monitor equipment usage to predict maintenance needs, and even suggest new classes based on emerging fitness trends. For Mangement it could suggest changes to class schedules based on enquiries, booking history, attendance etc.
  3. Retail : It could autonomously manage inventory, predict trends by analysing customer data, external factors such as weather, news events etc, and even optimise pricing strategies based on market demand and competitor analysis such as changing the price of suncream when it gets hot and the price of umbrellas when it rains.
  4. Public Sector : It could streamline citizen services, anticipate infrastructure needs based on usage patterns, and improve disaster response by dynamically allocating resources. It could also pre-empt and influence bin collections based on realtime data, or take proactive action and make recommendations from transcripts based on interviews or care notes in social services.
  5. Legal: It could autonomously manage case documentation, chase up cases, predict case outcomes based on historical data, and even recommend legal strategies or layers most likely to win particualr cases. It could provide guiance to customers, based on “learned” cases for that firm and provide “virtual lawyer” services fully automonosly.
  6. Insurance : Agentic AI could assess risk profiles, help detect fraudulent claims, and tailor policy recommendations to individual customers.
  7. School Admissions : It could predict enrollment trends, identify potential gaps in student demographics, and optimise the selection process to ensure a diverse and well-balanced student body.

These are just a few examples of Agentic AI’s ability to act independently and adapt to complex, changing environments makes the applications and use cases almost endless as long as we can guide it, trust it and step in when needed.

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Inside Copilot’s Researcher and Analyst Agents

TL:DR

Microsoft 365 Copilot now includes two advanced AI agents – Researcher and Analyst  that became generally available in this month ( June 2025).  These agents use powerful reasoning models (based on OpenAI’s o3-mini and deep research models) to handle complex tasks beyond what the standard Copilot could do. 

Researcher is a specialised agent for multi-step research – it can securely comb through your work data (emails, files, meetings, etc.) and the web to gather information, ask clarifying questions, and produce well-structured summaries and insights. It’s ideal for tasks like market research, competitor analysis, or preparing for big meetings – work that used to take hours, now done in minutes with higher accuracy. 

Analyst is a virtual data analyst/data scientist built into Copilot. It excels at advanced data analysis, working through messy spreadsheets or databases step-by-step using chain-of-thought reasoning and even running Python code when needed. From identifying sales trends to spotting anomalies in finance data, Analyst gives you in-depth answers and visuals that mirror human analytical thinking.

Compared to the standard Microsoft 365 Copilot, these agents go much further in reasoning and capabilities for these specific tasks. While the native Copilot mod helps draft documents or summarise content, Researcher and Analyst tackle complex reasoning tasks (deep research and data analysis) with a level of thoroughness and skill akin to an expert – essentially “like having a dedicated employee at your side ready to go, 24‑7,” according to Microsoft’s Jared Spataro. They are accessed through the Copilot interface (pinned in the Copilot app and via Copilot Chat) and come with a usage limit of 25 queries per month per user due to their intensive workloads.

Analyst vs. Copilot for Finance:

Analyst is a general-purpose data analysis agent available to any Copilot user, whereas Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance is a separate, role-based Copilot designed specifically for finance teams. Copilot for Finance connects to financial systems (like Dynamics 365 and SAP) and Microsoft 365 apps (Excel, Outlook) to automate finance workflows (reports, reconciliations, insights). Unlike the Analyst agent which works on data you provide, Copilot for Finance directly taps into live enterprise finance data for real-time insights. Importantly, Copilot for Finance is not limited to Dynamics 365 – it can integrate with various ERPs including Dynamics 365, SAP, etc via connectors though it is deeply optimized for Dynamics 365 Finance.

The Age of AI Specialists in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is evolving from a single assistant into a team of AI specialists. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced two first-of-their-kind “reasoning agents” for work: Researcher and Analyst. After a period in preview (through the Frontier program) for early adopters, these agents are now generally available to all users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license as of June 2025. This marks a significant expansion of Copilot’s capabilities beyond its initial skill set.

The new Researcher and Analyst are advanced Copilot modes (agents) specialised for particular scenarios – complex research and data analysis. They join other Wave 2 Copilot features (like the new Agent Store, Copilot Search, Memory, Notebooks, and image generation) that Microsoft has been rolling out to enhance the Copilot experience. Jared Spataro, Microsoft’s CMO for AI at Work, describes these agents as delivering “advanced reasoning” and notes “it really is like having a dedicated employee at your side ready to go, 24-7.” In other words, Microsoft 365 Copilot is no longer just a helpful assistant within Office apps – it can now also act as an on-demand subject matter expert that tackles higher-order tasks.

From a technology standpoint, both agents leverage the latest AI models tailored for their specific domains. They use OpenAI’s powerful models (codenamed o3-mini for Analyst, and a deep research model for Researcher) combined with Microsoft’s orchestration, search, Responsible AI, and tool integrations. This means they don’t just generate quick answers; they actually reason through problems in multiple steps, consult various data sources, and produce more comprehensive results. This blog explores each agent in detail:

Microsoft 365 Researcher Agent

Researcher is the new Copilot agent that acts as a highly skilled research assistant. It’s designed to help you tackle complex, multi-step research projects right from your Microsoft 365 environment. Researcher brings together OpenAI’s “deep research model” with Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advanced orchestration and search. In practice, this means it can scour both your organisational data *and* external sources on the web to find the information you need, synthesize it, and present insights in a coherent way.

What can Microsoft 365 Researcher Agent do?

Microsoft describes Researcher as “an agent that can analyse vast amounts of information with secure, compliant access to your work data – your emails, meetings, files, chats, and more – and the web” to deliver expert insights on demand. In simpler terms, Researcher is great at doing all the digging for information, reading it and then summarising the findings for you. Some of its capabilities include:

  • Multisource Information Gathering: It can search through your files, emails, SharePoint, and external online / Web sources to collect relevant data and. For example, if you’re exploring a new market or analysing a topic, Researcher will pull from both internal documents and credible websites to gather material. 
  • Smart Summaries: After collecting information, Researcher summarises what it finds in plain, easy-to-read language. You get a clear, tailored report instead of a dump of raw data. It will highlight key points, trends, and insights rather than making you sift through hundreds of pages or search results. 
  • Trend and Insight Identification: Researcher uses its AI reasoning to spot patterns, trends, and opportunities in the information. It can draw connections and highlight things that might make a difference for your project or question. For instance, it might notice an emerging customer preference across feedback data or identify a common thread in market research reports. 
  • Interactive Refinement: If your initial query is broad, Researcher often asks clarifying questions to narrow down the scope and ensure it’s on the right track. This interactive back-and-forth helps it deliver more relevant results. You can guide it by answering those questions or giving additional instructions, much like you would with a human researcher. 
  • Citations and Source Transparency: When delivering its findings, Researcher provides well-sourced content. It can include citations or references for where information came from, so you can trust but verify the results. (This is crucial for workplace research, and you can ask it to only use authoritative sources for extra confidence, as in one example prompt Microsoft shared).

Use Cases for Microsoft 365 Researcher Agent

Researcher is great in situations where you need to quickly learn or compile knowledge on a topic or subject area but are not sure where to look. This could be for tasks like assessing the impact of the new Trump tariffs on business lines, preparing for vendor negotiations by gathering supplier intel, and collecting client research before sales pitches.

Researcher Agent Example

In a business context, imagine your sales / marketing team are looking for a fresh perspective on top technology investments organisations are making in the UK based on industry research which needs to be in a report. You could ask Researcher “What are the top technology investments and projects by “small to medium” and enterprise organisations in the UK. Use trusted market data from repuatble sources such as Gartner, IDC, Cisco, Microsoft, Canlays, CRN etc.”

What I love is how you see the deep thinking and reasoning Researcher is using to compile the information and generate your report. This is so much easier than manually searching the web and reading dozens of articles. Instead, Researcher gives you a report in just a few minutes.

Instead of manually having to search the web and read loads and loads of articles, Researcher gives you a report in under ten minutes. You can of course tweak the response by asking more questions or requesting adjustments to ensure it meets you needs. When the report is finished you’ll see how comprehensive and well formatted it is, allowing you to export to, add it to a collaborative Copilot Notebook or leave it as is.

Sample output from Researcher Agent.

Microsoft 365 Analyst Agent – Data Analyst

If Researcher is your content and knowledge scout, Analyst is your number-crunching, data-savvy AI team member. The Analyst agent is all about diving into data (often numerical or structured data) to extract insights, find patterns, and answer complex analytical questions. Microsoft describes Analyst as “thinking like a skilled data scientist”, using an advanced reasoning approach to tackle data problems step-by-step https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/06/02/researcher-and-analyst-are-now-generally-available-in-microsoft-365-copilot

What makes Microsoft 365 Copilot Analyst Agent special?

The Analyst agent runs on a finely-tuned AI reasoning model (post-trained on OpenAI’s o3-mini model specifically for analytical tasks). Unlike a standard chatbot that might try to answer a data question in one go (and often make mistakes), the Analyst agent uses a chain-of-thought process to break problems down and solve them iteratively. It can even generate and execute actual code (like Python) in the background to manipulate data, perform calculations, or generate charts. Throughout this, it adjusts to new complexities and can recover from errors autonomously – essentially debugging and refining its approach as it goes, much like a human analyst would. The end result is a thorough analysis with reasoning that is transparent to the user.

Here are some of the key capabilities of the Analyst agent:

  • Data Analysis Across Formats: Analyst can work with Excel spreadsheets, CSV/TSV files, databases, Power BI reports, and other structured data sources . It can even extract financial data from PDFs. It is possible to upload or point it to a dataset, even if the data is messy or hidden across multiple files. For example, if you have sales data split across a few different Excel sheets and files, you can use Analyst Agent to ingest them all. The agent can also clean up many of the typical issues found in spreadsheets such as wrong delimiters in a CSV, or values buried in an unexpected place before it starts to work. This means that your data does not need to be perfectly prepared beforehand .
     
  • Iterative Reasoning and Problem Solving: When you ask Analyst a question, it will hypothesise, test, and refine repeatedly. For instance, you might ask, “What insights can you find about our Q4 sales data, and why did some teams underperform?”. Here, Analyst might break this down into steps: first identifying overall sales by region, then noticing why one sales team is lower, then digging into possible factors (maybe inventory issues or lower marketing spend), then correlating that with other data. It takes as many steps as needed to arrive at a sound answer. This multi-step approach leads to more accurate and nuanced results than a one-shot response.
  •  Code Generation and Execution: A standout feature – Analyst can write and run Python code behind the scenes to perform calculations or data transformations. If your data question requires a formula, statistical analysis, or creating a chart, Analyst will generate the code to do it. Even better, it shows you the code in real time as it works, so you have complete transparency into how it’s reaching its conclusion. You effectively have an AI that can program on the fly to solve your data problem. This is like having a data analyst who is also a programmer working for you instantly. 
  • Insight Generation and Visualisation: Analyst doesn’t just provide text based results – it will also explain the “story” behind the numbers in plain language and can also create simple charts or graphs to illustrate key points. It could, for example, produce a trend line graph of sales over time or a bar chart of top-performing products if those help answer your question. It will highlight findings such as “Sales Team A had a 20% increase in Q4, outpacing their previous year results ,,,, ” By narrating and illustrating the data, it helps you quickly understand the business implications. 
  • Actionable Recommendations: Analyst can often suggest next steps or recommendations based on the data patterns it finds. If it discovers, say, that a certain region’s sales are lagging due to low inventory, it might recommend increasing stock or marketing in that region. Or if a customer segment is showing poor engagement, it could suggest targeted outreach. These suggestions turn raw analysis into useful advice, bridging the gap from insight to action. 

Microsoft 365 Analyst Agent Use Cases:

The Analyst agent is useful anywhere you have data and questions about that data. Some real-world examples Microsoft has noted include using Analyst to assess how different discount levels affected customer purchasing behavior to identify the top customers who aren’t fully utilising the products they bought, and to visualise product usage trends and customer sentiment for informing go-to-market.

Analyst Agent Example

In the example below, I took some Customer Support Tickets from an excel (see below).

Sample Customer Support Ticket Export

I then have asked the Analyst Agent to “review the support ticket and create me an exective summary of the tickets, pulling out trends and themes that my team should look at and how they might reduce future support call duration.”

The results below are the first run with data that represeted as I have asked.

How Do Researcher and Analysts Agents Compare to the Standard Microsoft 365 Copilot Experience?

With all the excitement around Researcher and Analyst, you might wonder how they differ from the core Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat experience  that users have been trying out in apps like Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.

The key difference comes down to depth of reasoning and specialisation. The core Copilot Chat experience is like a well-rounded generalist – great at everyday productivity tasks, such as drafting an email, summarising a document or thread, writing in Word, generating a PowerPoint outline, or pulling insights from a single Excel worksheet. It uses a large language model (LLM) to understand your prompt and the context from the active document, then provides a response.

However, it typically gives a direct answer or action based on available content, without doing prolonged multi-step reasoning. For example, standard Copilot can summarise a document or create a draft from prompts, but if you ask it to perform a very complex analysis that requires digging through multiple files or doing calculations, it may hit its limits. Thats where these specialist agents differ:

Advanced Reasoning vs. Quick Responses: “Standard” Copilot Chat is designed for quick assistance within the flow of work (one-shot answers or short tasks). In contrast, Researcher and Analyst use advanced reasoning algorithms (chain-of-thought) that allow them to work through a problem in multiple steps). They will plan, execute sub-tasks (like searching sources and creating and executing code), and then refining its output. This means they can handle questions or tasks that the regular Copilot would either answer superficially or not manage at all. 

Tool Use and Data Access: These specialist agents have access to a much broader set of information and models. Researcher can tap into web search and internal knowledge bases simultaneously, something standard Copilot doesn’t proactively do by itself. Analyst can use the equivalent of a built-in scripting engine (Python) to manipulate data. These abilities let the agents produce more accurate, data-backed results (for instance, Analyst can compute exact figures or generate a pivot table behind the scenes, rather than guessing). 

Use Case Focus:  Out of the box, Microsoft 365 Copilot has a breadth of capabilities across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc., but each in a somewhat scoped way – e.g. helping write, summarise, or create within that app. It is “broad but shallow”. Researcher and Analyst are narrower but much deeper in their domains. If you don’t need multi-step research or advanced data analysis, you might not need to use them and the regular Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat or in app Copilot experience might suffice. But if you do have those needs, these agents provide a level of expertise that feels like a specialist joining your team.

For example, consider interpreting a complex financial report: Standard Copilot in Excel can summarise that report or maybe answer something about it if asked directly, but Analyst could take multiple financial files (ledgers, budgets, forecasts) and do a cross-file analysis, then produce a summary and suggest optimisations – a far more sophisticated outcome. 

Interaction Model:Using Researcher/Analyst is a bit like launching a specific mode of Copilot meant for heavy tasks. They’re accessible via the Copilot app’s Agent Store or as pinned  which is a different entry point than simply typing to Copilot in Word. This interface guides the user to ask bigger questions (“Help me investigate X” or “Analyse Y data for Z”) rather than the smaller in-app prompts. The agents also tend to show their working process (especially Analyst showing its code or reasoning steps), whereas standard Copilot just delivers the end answer in a friendly tone. This transparency is great for users who want to trust the results – you can literally see how Analyst arrived at an answer, step by step. 

Analyst vs. Copilot for Finance – What’s the Difference?

With the introduction of the Analyst agent, you might also hear about Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance – another AI offering that targets data and analytics, but specifically for finance professionals. It’s important to clarify how the Analyst agent and Copilot for Finance differ, because their names might seem related. In fact, they serve different needs:

Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance (formerly introduced simply as “Copilot for Finance”, now in preview) is a role-based Copilot experience tailored for finance departments. This was announced in early 2024 as a way to “transform modern finance” by bringing generative AI into the daily workflows of finance teams. Unlike the Analyst agent – which any user with Copilot can use for various kinds of data analysis – Copilot for Finance is a separate add-on Copilot designed to integrate deeply with financial systems and processes. It essentially combines Microsoft 365 Copilot with a specialized finance agent and connectors to your financial data.

From what I have managed to assess these are the main differences between the Analyst agent and Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance:

AspectAnalyst Agent (Microsoft 365 Copilot )Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance
Purpose & DomainGeneral-purpose data analysis for any domain or department. Helps users analyse spreadsheets, databases, or other data to get insights.Designed to work across certified and connected systems such as Microsoft 365 Dynamics, Salesforce and some others
Integration and DataWorks on provided or accessible data in Microsoft 365 (e.g. Excel files, CSVs, SharePoint data). No built-in direct connection to ERP systems – user typically uploads data or points to files for analysisConnected to enterprise financial systems and data sources. Draws context from ERP systems (like D365 Finance & SAP) and the Microsoft Graph . Integrates in real-time with live finance data, assuming connectors are set up. Optimised for D365 Finance (seamless data access). Can connect other systems via custom or pre-built connectors).
Features and SkillsUses chain-of-thought AI reasoning and Python code execution to perform analytics. Ideal for ad-hoc data analysis: e.g. combining sales data with customer data to find trends, identifying anomalies in operational data, generating charts from raw data. Acts as AI data analyst for any project.Uses AI to streamline finance-specific processes and provide insights within finance workflows. For example, can automate variance analysis in Excel, perform reconciliations between systems, generate reports, summaries, and even draft emails for collections with relevant account info. Understands accounting principles and the company’s financial data.
User ExperienceAccessed through the Copilot app as one of the agents (no special deployment beyond having Microsoft 365 Copilot license). The user asks questions or tasks in natural language and often provides the data files to analyze. The output is an interactive analysis in Copilot chat with optional visuals and code transparency.Integrated into the tools finance teams use: primarily Excel, Outlook, and Teams in the context of finance work. For example, in Excel a finance user might invoke Copilot for Finance to run a budget vs. actual report or find anomalies in ledger data. In Outlook, it can summarise a customer’s account status from ERP data to help a collections officer. Works in flow of existing finance tasks, bringing AI where needed.
Availability & PricingIncluded as part of the Microsoft 365 Copilot (the Analyst agent is available to any user who has Copilot enabled). General Availability as of mid-2025. Usage is capped at 25 queries/month for heavy reasoning tasks.Available as add-on to Copilot targeted at enterprises. Paid offering for organisations that use Microsoft 365 and want AI assistance in finance for supported systems like D365.
Dependencies
on Microsoft Dynamics		Not dependent on Dynamics 365 – Analyst can analyse any data you give it. If your financial data is in Excel exports from SAP or Oracle, Analyst can still work with those exports, but it won’t directly pull from those systems on its own.Deeply integrates with D365 Finance & Operations. Designed to plug into D365 modules so can act within that ecosystem (e.g., directly reading transaction data, posting results back). Through “connectors”, it can interface with other ERP or CRM systems too. Advantage is native use with D365 – without manual data exporting or integrations

To put it simply, the Analyst agent is like an AI data expert you can use for virtually any type of analysis by feeding it data, whereas Copilot for Finance is a comprehensive AI-powered solution built into Microsoft’s ecosystem to assist with a company’s financial operations in real-time. They might overlap in the sense that both can do things like variance analysis or finding trends in financial figures, but the context is different: Analyst would do it when you ask and give it the data (say, a couple of Excel files containing financial info), while Copilot for Finance would do it as part of your normal finance workflow, already knowing where the data is (in your ERP and Excel models) and proactively helping you in that domain.

Does Copilot for Finance only work with Dynamics 365?

No. Copilot for Finance is not limited to Dynamics 365, though that’s a primary integration. It brings together Microsoft 365 Copilot with a finance-focused agent that connects to your existing financial data sources including ERP systems like Dynamics 365 and SAP. So if your company runs SAP for finance, Copilot for Finance can use that data as well. Microsoft has built it to be flexible via connectors, because they know not everyone is on Dynamics. That said, organizations using Dynamics 365 Finance get a more seamless experience – Copilot for Finance can sit right inside the D365 Finance interface and offer insights without any data transfer.

In summary, Copilot for Finance is cross-platform in terms of data sources, but tightly integrated with Microsoft’s own finance solutions for maximum benefit. It’s an example of Microsoft creating role-specific Copilots (others being Copilot for Sales, Copilot for Service) that extend the core Copilot capabilities into specialised business functions.

Further Reading and Sources

As well my own experimentation, the following sources were also inferred and read when writing this blog. I did also use Copilot to help tweak the tone and flow.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/3-practical-ways-small-businesses-can-use-researcher-and-analyst-agents/4418059

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/analyst-agent-in-microsoft-365-copilot/4397191

https://dynamicscommunities.com/ug/dynamics-fo-ax-ug/microsoft-copilot-vs-microsoft-copilot-for-finance-understanding-key-differences-and-benefits-for-users/

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Cisco Shine: Report on The State of Smart Collaboration Devices in 2025

Yesterday I read the “Omdia Universe: Smart Collaboration Devices 2025 report“. This was promoted by Cisco who, as you may know are currently the fastest growing Microsoft Teams Room MTR provider whilst also of course having their own Webex Meeting platform and experiences.

In this blog, I summarise the key insights that jumped out to me and cover how the report reveal how Cisco are re innovating in this crowded space and differenting themselves through their inter-connected portfolio.

I also look at what it all means for organises who use Webex and of course Microsoft Teams, and why – in this rapidly shifting collaborative landscape – why not all vendors in this space are equal.

The Omdia Universe Report

The report looks at 11 of the top-tier vendors across 18 categories and 20 subcategories, evaluating everything from AI-driven features to deployment simplicity. It looks at the current state and evolution of our hybrid work era where every meeting room is expected to deliver a seamless blend of hardware and functionality to drive productivity and foster a culture of meaningful collaboration.

Early on in the report they bring out the market trends and growth which is important.

State of the Meeting Room Market

The report reveals that one of the primary priority for most organisations is to expand video capabilities across every type of meeting room. This ambition to improve the user experience, together with regular room refresh initiatives, is fueling continuous market growth. Key sectors such as local government, finance, legal, education, and technology are actively deploying these solutions to support both hybrid and in-office workforces.

Although the video conferencing market is mature, recent innovations, especially AI enhancements like active speaker tracking, auto-framing, presenter tracking, background noise cancellation, and audio/video zone fencing, are reinvigorating this space. These features are designed to ensure meeting equity by making every participant visible and audible.

Additionally, collaborative services that offer meeting transcription and summarisaon have become transformative, as enterprises increasingly desire devices that operate seamlessly without manual intervention.

The report concludes that looking ahead, industry leaders like Microsoft and, Cisco are expected to spearhead the integration of meeting room budgets and projects through unified platform-driven experiences.

With hybrid work becoming the norm, the smart collaboration devices market is poised for further expansion, building on a 10% year-over-year revenue increase in 2024 and anticipated even stronger growth in 2025.

Key needs from business include’

  • Broad solutions matter: What organisations demand goes beyond just high-quality video; it’s about having the flexibility to address complex meeting room setups, catering to diverse environments – from intimate huddle spaces to large, multifunctional boardrooms.
  • Integration is king: Unified and connected ecosystems are essential to success. Devices must not only work well independently but also integrate with the software platforms we use every day such as like Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams. 
  • AI and automation: From real-time noise suppression, participant identification, smart meeting notes and inclusion, to intelligent framing and dynamic meeting analytics, AI is transforming devices into interactive partners rather than mere tools. 
  • Refresh is at an all time high. The Covid Era of quick purchases and decisions is past us and the next 2 years show huge demand from customers and growth from partners who operate and excel in this space.

Deep Impact: Cisco’s Differentiation

In short not all collaboration vendors are equal. When we ask, “Who really understands the future of collaboration?” the answer resonates with Cisco’s long time history and performance in this space.

Image by Omdia

Despite the decline of Webex platform usage over the years and the huge adoption of Teams, the report shares how Cisco is truly the “full stack” visionary in this segment, and here’s why according to the report:

  • End-to-End Ecosystem Integration:  the report calls out that Cisco’s Webex devices aren’t just about a good video endpoint. They are part of a growing broader ecosystem that unifies Cisco’s hardware, network infrastructure, observability platform and other software. For customers and partners, this means easier deployment, streamlined management and an elevated user experience across different meeting room types which leads to higher productivity and a sense of continuity. What really impacts this is that the integration even extends to Microsoft Teams, offering a fluid experience for organisations that want to maintain their existing Teams environment while leveraging Cisco’s robust hardware solutions.
  • AI-Driven Excellence:  while platforms like Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams have AI embedded in the software, the newest Cisco hardware leverages NVIDIA GPUs and NPUs to go beyond “good enough.” The report calls our how they deliver advanced features like intelligent framing, active speaker tracking, and background noise elimination at the hardware layer. Just like Copilot+PCs that do the same on the desktop, Cisco by putting in their meeting room endpoints don’t simply improve call quality, they change the dynamics of how teams interact in both in-person and remote settings. This AI-first approach creates a “meeting equity” where every participant is seen and heard clearly an essential ingredient for effective hybrid work and something that is key for inclusion and accessibility too.
  • Webex Control Hub & Management Simplicity:  Another big call out is Cisco’s centralised management suite. Whilst Microsoft Teams has a Teams Room Pro portal which is very good, the report details how Cisco takethe headache out of device provisioning and monitoring especially where organisations have a mix of platforms but standardise on Cisco hardware. This ease of use, combined with proactive analytics, provides a level of operational insight that few competitors can match. With new AI features around management and the integration of the network this kind of thoughtful design allows IT teams to focus on strategic priorities rather than firefighting everyday issues across rooms, network etc.
  • Interoperability with Teams:  In today’s environment, larger organisations are often split between different collaboration platforms or may be shifting from one to the other. Cisco’s revised strategy is smart, as it ensures that while Webex remains the backbone for in-room experiences, its devices are “platform agnostic” enough to also be a Microsoft partner and fully support Microsoft Teams. This means businesses don’t have to compromise on one technology over another—they can have the best of both worlds. This is good for sustainability, consistency and for Cisco and Microsoft partners a kind.

Where other vendors fall short

The report also pulls out that while many organisations have vendors preferences (or at the flip end don’t – and use a mix devices, not all are equal.

This is based on the pain points reported by enterprises which are summarised in the report as follows

The report gives scores across the main key vendors and shows Cisco as a clear leader mainly because.

“Cisco emerges as a leader in this Omdia Universe report on smart collaboration devices. Cisco’s” Leader” status is attributed to its exceptional performance across all evaluated categories. The company achieved an impressive overall unweighted score of 90% for its capabilities, 85% for strategy and execution, and a solution breadth score of 97%”

Webex & Teams: Bridging the Divide

Back on Cisco, the report calls out that conversation around collaboration tools is incomplete without recognising the symbiotic (and still new) relationship between Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams. The once enemies in the Collaboration spaces, Cisco, to avoid loosing any more market share have now truly partnered. The report calls out tha while Webex hardware is the go-to for feature-rich, AI-driven collaboration experiences, Microsoft Teams remains indispensable due to its deep integration into enterprise productivity suites like Microsoft 365 and of course Copilot. This unification of the two brings the best of both!

The report also calls out the reasons some firms still stand behind Webex and why Teams as a platform is the choice by most.

  • Webex:  Cisco’s Webex is celebrated for its polished, intuitive interface and extensive feature set. By offering advanced meeting controls, real-time transcription, immersive audio, and intelligent device management, Webex sets the standard for what “smart collaboration” should feel like.
  • Teams: Teams is deeply entrenched in the daily workflow of almost every enterprise thanks to its seamless integration with other Microsoft 365,its extensibility and of course Their Copilot AI offerings. Cisco’s ability to support Teams via its hardware bridges the gap, allowing organisations to invest in robust, vendor-supported devices without needing to choose exclusively between platforms. Those that choose Teams (as long as they don’t need Windows powered systems) get a truly awesome experience.

Cisco, by ensuring that devices work seamlessly across these two major platforms, they not only reassures current customers but also attracts enterprises looking to future-proof their collaboration investments.

This value is multiplied for organisations that also invest in Cisco networking solutions with the integration, aligned management and insights across their estate that no other vendor can provide.

Read the Report.

The Omdia Universe: Smart Collaboration Devices 2025 report is work a read as it is  more than a scorecard.

NOTE: Whilst this blog pulls out the huge advantages of Cisco, the full report actually show that as well as Cisco, HP Poly, Logitech, Neat, and Yealink also shine.

Regardless of your vendor of choice the message to IT leaders grappling with hybrid work challenges is to ” invest in solutions that blend robust performance with seamless platform integration. Whether you lean towards the established sophistication of Webex or the cohesive productivity experience provided by Teams, the future of collaboration demands a thoughtful, integrated approach.

My view

As a proud Cisco and Microsoft partner, I believe that Cisco’s revamped video collaboration solutions integrate seamlessly with both Webex and Microsoft Teams while driving innovation for both platforms.

Cisco is also (through help of partners and putting their money where their mouth is) effectively overcoming its legacy reputation of “complex and expensive” , where customers once perceived their devices as outdated, expensive, and burdened with complex licensing and procurement processes.

As highlighted in the report and reflected in our customer experiences, those concerns are now outdated. Cisco devices are readily available at competitive pricing through collaboration partners like Cisilion, and the benefits are further amplified when customers invest in the broader Cisco infrastructure portfolio, including networking, ThousandEyes for enhanced visibility and performance, and secure access solutions.

Share your thoughts… Keen to know your views.

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Cisco Live 2025: AI Takes Center Stage and Networking Gets a Boost

Cisco Live 2025 is happening this week in San Diego (after five years in Vegas) with around 22,000 attendees. As you’d image from any tech event at the moment, the focus was very much AI with the theme being summed up as “All AI, all the time”. Throghout the Day 1 keynotes, Cisco’s message was clear: the “agentic AI era” is upon us, and Cisco is positioning itself as the infrastructure backbone to support service providers, cloud providers and enterprises of this new age.

Cisco’s President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel set the tone with a bold analogy: “The way that you should think about us is like the picks and shovels company during the gold rush. We are the infrastructure company that powers AI during the agentic movement,”

…….In other words, while everyone’s chasing AI gold, Cisco’s approach is to providing the bedrock tools to dig for it – unveiling new innovations spanning networking hardware, unified management software, security, and collaboration tools, all infused with AI.

I wasn’t able to attend the event myself, but here’s my break down the top announcements and innovations from the live streams I watched. Let me know what I have missd 🙂

The “Agentic AI” Era

Cisco Live’s buzzword was undoubtedly “Agentic AI.” Cisco sees a shift from basic chatbots to autonomous agents that don’t just answer questions, but perform tasks and jobs on our behalf. As Jeetu Patel said in the keynote “The world is moving from chatbots intelligently answering our questions to agents conducting tasks and jobs fully autonomously. This is the agentic era of AI”.

Like many of the other tech giants, their view is that in this fast moving era, billions of AI agents could be working for us behind the scenes, which “will soar” the demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency and power-efficient networking in Cloud Providers and Private Hosted data centers.

Cisco’s key mesage here is that they are here to help organisations and providers meet this demand. “Cisco is delivering the critical infrastructure for the AI era — secure networks and experiences, optimized for AI that connect the world and power the global economy“.

Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said that “no organisation can hire limitless people to tackle increasing IT complexity and cyber threats – instead – machines must scale to share the burden”. He went on to say how Automation and AI-driven operations are not just nice-to-haves; they’re becoming essential and every business is looking to invest and build here and it will only accelerate in pace and scale.

Cisco also set out to explain that “generative AI” and “agentic AI” have different effects on the infrastructure needed to support them. Generaive AI creates sporadic spikes in demand, but Agentic AI creates sustained perpetual demand for inferencing capacity. This means that for agentic AI, networks and Cloud data centers need a continuous heavy-duty upgrade to what they run on today. Cisco expect that many will large enterprises, those setting out to build their own “AIs” and of course Service and Cloud Providers will likley need to “re-rack the entire datacenter and rebuild the network” to handle these new AI workloads.

One Unified Plartform to Manage it all

As (a long time ago) IT Sys Admin, I remember how managing networks used to sometimes feel like herding cats – multiple dashboards for switches, routers, security, cloud, etc., all siloed.

Cisco has now announced Cisco Cloud Control, a new unified management console intended to “drive all its networking, security, and observability tools” from one place. In a nutshell, Cloud Control is Cisco’s approach to bring all those separate management tools into a single pane of glass – making it easier for network admins and giving a Cisco Customers a cohesive platform to showcase it’s new AI innovations in one place.

Of course Cloud Control is AI infused too. There is an AI Assistant that lets IT teams query their infrastructure in plain English. Here they could ask (as per their demo) “Hey Cisco, why is the Wi-Fi slow on the 4th floor?” and get a useful answer.

To achieve this, Cisco are using a new custom large language model trained on decades of Cisco networking knowledge (like an AI powered CCIE) to provide expert guidance. Cisco showed off a new AI Canvas (an “agentic” interface) that auto-generates relevant dashboards that work together to help identify issues, suggest fixes, and even implement changes – with human approval gating the final step. In short – you describe a problem, and the system brings forward the relevant controls and data needed to solve it, all guided by Cisco AI.

Cisco’s message is not just about adding AI for AI sake  – it is designed to address real IT headache by combining formerly separate mnagement planes and interfaces into one.

Cisco also announced they are unifying management for their Catalyst and Meraki product lines (switching and wireless) into this single console, with common licensing too.

Overall, the message is that whether it’s campus networks, branch, data center, or cloud, Cisco goal is is to centralise control and inject AI assistance across them all, leading to smarter and simpler unified operations.

Splunk also got a mention – with Cisco talking about how ThousandEyes and Splunk analytics will also be able to integrate into this platform to give end-to-end visibility – from user device to application. This is part of a broader “One Cisco” vision of an integrated portfolio for networking, security, collaboration, and observability.

Net Hardware: Faster, Smarter, and Built for AI

It wouldn’t be Cisco Live without new hardware – and this year, Cisco delivered a loads of it. Recognising that AI workloads are putting unprecedented demands on Service provider and Cloud networks, Cisco unveiled a lineup of new switches, routers, and wireless devices which all give higher throughput, low latency, and security by design. This inlcuded:

  • Campus Switches (C9350 & C9610): Designed for campus networks and powered by its custom Silicon One chips – they boast a huge 51.2 Tbps of throughput and sub-5 microsecond latency, with quantum-resistant security built in. These are designed to handle “high-stakes AI applications” at the network edge.
  • Secure Branch Routers (8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, 8500 Series): To connect sites and users to AI resources, Cisco have unveiled these new Secure Catalyst Routers for branches. These are all-in-one boxes that combine SD-WAN, SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) connectivity and next-gen firewall. Cisco say they will deliver up to 3× the throughput of the previous generation too. Why? Cisco is converging networking and security at the WAN edge so that adopting AI doesn’t open new holes in your defenses.
  • Wi-Fi 7 (Cisco Wireless 9179F): – see new APs, tailored for stadiums and large venues. These APs support the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard bringing multi-gig speeds and better reliability and integrate Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) technology alongside Wi-Fi in one device. That means an access point can also serve as a highly reliable wireless bridge/mesh link, useful in places where running fiber/cable is hard.
  • Ruggedised Switches for Industry 4.0: To support AI at the edge – in places like factories, oil rigs, smart cities – Cisco unveiled 19 new rugged switches built to withstand harsh environments. These come in various form factors (tiny DIN-rail mounts, hardened casings, etc.) to fit into industrial sites where conditions are extreme. Interestingly, Cisco integrated that URWB wireless tech here too, meaning you can have a unified wireless fabric that covers both IT and OT (operational tech) environments via a combination of Wi-Fi and wireless backhaul. In plain terms, these rugged switches + wireless combos let factories and outdoor facilities achieve high-density, reliable wireless coverage as part of one unified infrastructure.
  • Powered by Cisco Silicon One: All Cisco’s hardware announcements reinforced a key point: networking and security are fusing together in Cisco’s strategy. All new switches and routers all come with baked-in security features (from Hypershield to post-quantum crypto) rather than treating security as an add-on. Jeetu Patel emphasised, that the future is about networks that are programmable and adaptable – Cisco’s own Silicon One custom chips are a big part of that story because it means that Cisco can update these devices for new AI workloads via software without needing to build a new chip and device. This is a major compete play and USP for Cisco.

Security in the AI Era: Zero Trust, Everywhere, All at Once

All the AI in the world won’t help if your business if your network isn’t secure. Cisco used this approach to double down on its message that security must be woven into every layer of the network, especially as AI opens new frontiers (and potentially new threats). In the agentic AI era, Cisco said that attackers will leverage AI, meaning threats could become faster and more sophisticated. The answer? “Secure by design” infrastructure and a unified security architecture that can handle the scale of AI-fueled operations.

As a result Cisco introduced a new network security blueprint anchored by what they call the Hybrid Mesh Firewall and Universal ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access). They represent a concerted effort to integrate security across all users, devices, and applications more seamlessly including:

  • Hybrid Mesh Firewall: Annouced earlier this year, Cisco’s next-gen firewall for the AI era, acts as a distributed security fabric spanning your whole environment. It brings together Cisco’s own firewalls and even third-party firewall integrations into one cohesive system to to enable zero-trust segmentation everywhere – from your data center core, across clouds, out to branch offices and all the way to IoT devices at the edge. The goal is that every part of the network becomes a security enforcement point, tightly coordinated.
  • Universal ZTNA: Cisco’s Zero Trust Network Access solution, now branded “Universal” because it aims to cover any user or device, anywhere. Universal ZTNA provides secure, identity-based access to applications, whether users are on the corporate LAN, at home, or on a mobile device. It extends the zero-trust mode to hard-to-manage endpoints and ensures a unified policy follows the user. For example, whether JimBob from accounting logs in from the office or from a coffee shop Wi-Fi, the system continuously verifies his identity and device posture before granting access to the finance app. The synergy here is that integrating ZTNA and the distributed firewall, Cisco can tightly control user-to-app connections and even monitor the traffic between services, all under a zero-trust philosophy.

Beyond hardware, the cloud-based Cisco Security Cloud got enhancements to help secure those emerging AI workflows. Their platform can now better secure interactions involving AI agents, using tools like Cisco AI Defense (which monitors AI model operations for tampering or misuse) as part of a “Secure AI Factory” concept co-developed with NVIDIA.

Their integration of Splunk also got a mention, where they demonstrated deeper Cisco + Splunk integrations for security analytics – such as sending security events and network telemetry into Splunk’s SIEM and using Splunk’s AI-driven insights to automate responses via Cisco’s tools.

Webex: Smarter Meetings, AI Helpers, and Cameras with a Brain

Cisco did also announce a series of Webex updates with more AI coming into Webex in ways that aim to make meetings less of a chore and customer service more efficient.

  • Jira Workflow Automation in Webex: For native Webex meetings, this can listen for action items discussed in a meeting and automatically create Jira tickets for them. For example, if during a team call someone says “I’ll update the budget doc next week,” the AI will note that and generate a task in Jira , Monday.com or Asana – fill in your project tool) assigned to that person. It will even capture the context by attaching relevant portions of the meeting transcript or recording. Cisco touted, the integration can also update Jira tickets in real-time if status changes are mentioned in meetings – so, if the team says “the server migration is completed,” the AI could move the Jira task to “done” and note the discussion. It’s like having a diligent virtual project manager in every meeting, so humans can focus on discussion rather than note-taking.
  • Webex AI Agent for Customer Self-Service: They announced enhancements to the Webex AI Agent – to make it easier to deploy and more powerful. Tgherenis a new set of prebuilt, industry-specific templates – out-of-the-box chatbot templates tailored for industries like healthcare, finance, retail, etc. Instead of a generic bot that has to be trained from scratch, Cisco provides a starting knowledge base (e.g., a healthcare template might know common questions about insurance, appointments, privacy rules, etc.). This can significantly speed up creating a virtual agent and leads to more relevant answers since it’s contextually aware of the industry. Cisco are also enabling these AI agents and features for on-premises deployments as well.

Conclusion

Cisco is all-in on AI, not by making its own AI apps, but by supercharging the underlying tech that makes AI possible.

Cisco seem fully aware of the challenges businesses face with emerging technologies. – whether it’s handling the flood of data and compute that AI workloads generate, securing a more complex threat landscape, and having a true end to end view on the user experence – Cisco is positioning itself as the enabler (and problem-solver) and has signaled it’s not sitting on the sidelines of the AI revolution.

The narrative of “One Cisco” came through strongly: networking, security, collaboration, cloud, and services all interlinking to form a complete platform for the AI era. Cisco is offering a very compelling toolkit for enterprises: blazing-fast hardware to move AI bits, smart software to manage it with minimal hassle, and built-in security every step of the way.

Cisco wants to be “the infrastructure company that powers AI” – the dependable partner under the hood while everyone chases AI magic. By unifying its platforms and injecting AI into network operations, Cisco is making a play to stay indispensable in this new era.

Jeetu Patel – Cisco.
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Copilot & Teams will finally understand your business jargon!

One of the most frustrating thing about Teams intelligent Recap and Copilot in meetings is in its ability to not understand company acroymns and internal “language” or terms.

Scheduled to rollout in July 2025, tenant administrators will be able to upload a Custom Dictionary through the Microsoft 365 Admin Portal’s Copilot Settings page.

This feature will finally enables organisations to improve transcription accuracy in Copilot and Teams meetings and calls by enabling Microsoft 365 to understand company-specific terminology. This will means that will be able to understand things such as

  • Industry jargon,
  • Internal product names and terms
  • Multilingual terms

This should help ensure conversations are transcribed and interpreted with greater precision.

Why this matters?

Organisations rely on Microsoft Copilot and Teams transcripts for insights, documentation, and knowledge retrieval. However, standard AI transcription can misinterpret niche terms or acronyms, leading to confusion and even sometimes humorous transcriptions.

This new Custom Dictionary feature addresses this by allowing businesses to define key terms their workforce frequently uses. 

Real Benefits.

  • Legal & Compliance Accuracy: Law firms using specialised legal terminology (e.g., “prima facie,” “voir dire”) can ensure precise transcripts without ambiguity. 
  • Enterprise Acronyms & Branding: Technology companies like Cisilion will be able to maintain more accurate documentation of internal project names (e.g., “Project Nebula”) and proprietary solutions.
  • Global Team Collaboration: Multinational organisations can optimise transcription quality across multiple languages and regional dialects. 
  • Better AI Insights & Search:Copilot will be able to retrieve knowledge more effectively, ensuring summaries, recommendations, and contextual responses align with an organisation’s unique vocabulary. 


This update is part of a broader set of Microsoft 365 enhancements including improved accessibility for sign language users in Teams meetings  and expanded Copilot capabilities for 1:1 and group calls.

By refining AI-driven language models, Microsoft aims to make workplace collaboration smarter, clearer, and more inclusive.

You can read more and track this features release on the official Microsoft 365 Roadmap.

There’s instructions for enabling and configuring it here.

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Microsoft confirm Cisco are fastest growing Teams Room partner.

Cisco has been named as the fastest-growing partner for Microsoft Teams Rooms.

This was announced by Ilya Bukshteyn, VP for Teams calling, devices, and premium experiences at Microsoft at an event at the Cisco office in Oslo, Norway. UC influencer and Cisco employee Chris Palmero took to LinkedIn and shared the news and some other great quotes from Cisco and Microsoft that came from the event.

Ilya Bukshteyn and Espen Løberg discussed the progress and growth of Cisco in this space, Ilya said that: “We want Microsoft Teams in every space, and Cisco is so great at designing devices for every space.”…….

“The combination of our companies is uniquely positioned to deliver ‘eyes,’ ‘ears,’ and ‘brain’ for every space. And that is the future of work and this partnership (with Cisco) is based on providing customers with choice.”

During the chat, Espen Løberg added: “This collaboration of two world-class engineering teams that have strengths in different areas is moving the industry forward; it’s making the world better.“

As a leading UK Cisco and Microsoft Partner, it’s really great to see the power of these two collaboration giants redefining the entire employee journey. Whilst Cisco are still a way from being the largest Teams Meeting Room partners and still. Of course have their own Webex experiences they promote and drive, the combination of  Cisco’s network, security, observability platform and their devices  running Microsoft Teams and of course AI powered Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences are showing what two previously competing UC and Meeting room provider can achieve when they combine forces.

Cisco is one of a number of Teams Room OEMs and sits along side, Poly, Neat, Lenovo, Logitech and Yealink who are currently the number one provider globally.

At Microsoft Ignite in Chicago in November, I covered an interview with Cisco where they clearly expressed their ambitions to be number one Teams Room provider by the end of 2025.

It seems they are well on their way to achieving this…

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Microsoft releases new Calendar app for commercial customers

After years of silence around bringing more functionality to the Windows 11, Microsoft have quietly announced a new Calendar app for Windows 11.

This doesn’t replace the Calendar Fly out but is instead the latest Microsoft 365 “Companion app” and joins the recently launched People and File Search apps.

It’s only availble for Commercial customers with a Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise License.

What does the new Calendar app do?

The goal of the new Calendar companion is to essentially bring back the show your day and schedule at a glance with a simple flyout the opens up right above the Windows taskbar as shown in the screenshot below.

It also provides more interactivity allowing you to accept and even join meetings directly from the calendar without having to go to Outlook or Teams.

New Windows 11 calendar flyout

This is quite slick and simple to use and not only provides much needed and quick access to common calendar related things, but also provides more use than the Windows 10 Calendar Fly out and significantly more than what is native on the Windows 11  calendar.

Image (c) Microsoft.

Microsoft says on their blog that:

“The Calendar companion app lets users quickly view their Microsoft 365 calendar directly from the Windows taskbar, eliminating the need to switch between apps and lose context. View upcoming events, join meetings, and search for appointments to stay on top of your schedule. “

When can I get the new Calendar App?

The new Calendar app is currently available to Microsoft 365 Insiders in the Beta Channel but will roll out to other channels over the next few weeks based on customer feedback.

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Chip to Cloud: Microsoft Surface’s End-to-End Security

I had the pleasure in taking part in a podcast last week with some of my team, Microsoft and Westcoast. This was aimed at demystifying Copilot+ PCs, part of which got us into the tech trenches of security and sustainability, two of the main reasons, organisations invest in Microsoft and Surface.

As such I thought I’d break out and do a spotlight on Microsoft’s Chip to Cloud Security approach.

Security is a critical consideration across any technology purchase and the laptops/tablets you buy should be no different. Whilst security can be layered on, it works best when it is built-in and part of what you buy. With Surface this is front and centre.

With cyber threats growing more sophisticated each day both at software and hardware layers, Microsoft has a bold and powerful stance: embedding security from chip design, supply chain, firmware/UEFI, Windows and of course the Cloud.

Microsoft Surface is more than a premium class device. Surface is a manifestation of Microsoft’s holistic, Zero Trust security philosophy. Secure by design and Secure by default.

Surface is also the only Windows OEM that controls and owns the entire security stack from the hardware, to the Windows OS to the Cloud Security like Defender.

Microsoft Surface Chip to Cloud Architecture.

Microsoft sets a compelling example of agile defense against emerging threats in what they term “From Chip to Cloud”.

What Does “Chip to Cloud” Mean?

At its core, “chip to cloud” is about ensuring security at every stage – from design, supply chains, the hardware integrated into the device to the operating system and finally, into the cloud where robust analytics and cloud defense form a huge part of the Surface blueprint (see above).

This approach means that when you first power on a Surface device, the user is protected. This starts at the hardware level and continues seamlessly into Windows, the software applications you run, and the cloud services you use.

The Microsoft Surface: A Manifestation of Microsoft’s Security Vision

Microsoft Surface is not just another OEM device. It is built by Microsoft at every level. Surface combines the very best of Microsoft’s technologies under one roof – Windows 11, Defender, and Microsoft 365 security to provide an enterprise-grade, secure experience.

Rather than just layers on, this is security by design built in and baked into every layer including the silicon.. The commitment to Zero Trust is evident, as every layer, whether hardware, firmware, or software, works in concert to provide continuous protection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Zero Trust Architecture: Every access point, both physical and digital, is continuously verified.
  • Full-Stack Security Ownership: With Microsoft owning the entire security architecture, the Surface delivers a unified defense that spans the entire ecosystem.

In Windows 11, hardware and software work together to reduce the attack surface, protect system integrity, and safeguard valuable data. New and enhanced features are designed with security by default which include running Win32 apps in isolation, token protection, passkeys, and Microsoft Intune Endpoint Privilege Management providing just some of the latest capabilities helping to shield from attacks.

Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business integrate with hardware-based features such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, biometric scanners, and Windows presence sensing to enable easier, more secure sign-on and protection of your data and credentials. Microsoft are also closer than ever in moving to a Passwordless future.

It Starts with Silicon – the Pluton Security Processor

The journey of security begins at the hardware layer / the silicon. Newer  devices are built in collaboration with Intel, Qualcomm and AMD, ensuring that their internal architecture is as robust and secure as possible. Newer devices will leverage Microsoft’s internally designed Pluton processor which can also act as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and hardware root of trust further improving hardware based security.

Pluton Processor Architecture (c Microsoft

Microsoft Pluton security processor is a chip-to-cloud security technology built with Zero Trust principles at the core. Microsoft Pluton provides hardware-based root of trust, secure identity, secure attestation, and cryptographic services. Pluton technology is a combination of a secure subsystem, which is part of the System on Chip (SoC) and Microsoft authored software that runs on this integrated secure subsystem.

The way it works (simplified) is that when the system boots, Pluton hardware initialisation takes place by loading the Pluton firmware from the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) flash storage on the motherboard. During Windows 11 startup, the OS uses the latest available version of the Pluton firmware. If no newer firmware is available, Windows defaults to the version loaded during hardware initialisation. This diagram illustrates the process:

Pluton boot process in Windows 11 (c) Microsoft

Note: Microsoft Pluton is currently available on devices with AMD Ryzen® 6000, 7000, 8000, Ryzen AI and Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8cx Gen 3 and Snapdragon X series processors. Microsoft Pluton can be enabled on devices with Pluton capable processors running Windows 11, version 22H2 and later.

Highlights of Pluton.

  • Secure by Design at the Chip Level: Even if one component is challenged, the Zero Trust framework ensures there is backup protection within other layers—including during the manufacturing and supply chain process.
  • The Pluton Security Processor: Unlike traditional hardware security modules, Pluton is embedded right into the CPU. This integration provides hardware-based root of trust, secure identity, and cryptographic operations that are virtually immune to physical tampering. Such a design minimizes the risk of sensitive data extraction even when attackers try to bypass conventional boundaries.

Microsoft Pluton can be used as a TPM, or with a TPM. Although Pluton builds security directly into the CPU, Windows device manufacturers might choose to use discrete TPM as the default TPM, while having Pluton available to the system as a security processor for use cases beyond the TPM. Microsoft are adopting the latter for all new devices built. It’s also leveraged by the new Windows 365 Link Devices.

Preempting Advanced Threats: Learning from Spectre & Meltdown

Back in early 2018, vulnerabilities like Spectre and Meltdown demonstrated that even the most advanced processors could be exploited via speculative execution. Microsoft’s response was swift and agile:

  • Rapid Patch Deployment: Security updates were rolled out on the day of public disclosure, ensuring devices were immediately protected.
  • Agile Firmware Development: Microsoft built its own UEFI, reducing dependency on third-party providers. They even introduced secure programming languages like Rust to minimize vulnerabilities from the start.
  • Holistic Integration: By leveraging its full-stack ownership, Microsoft coordinated an end-to-end defense – from patching the OS to reinforcing the hardware.

This agility and forward-thinking approach are core to maintaining trust in a world where new threats emerge on a daily basis.

Moving forward, the March 2021 Security Signals report found that more than 80% of enterprises had experienced at least one firmware attack in the past two years.

OS and Cloud Defense: The Next Layers of Protection

Moving from hardware to software, Microsoft ensures that Surface devices benefit from Windows 11’s robust security features:

  • Operating System Security: Built-in features such as Windows Hello, TPM 2.0, and Secured-Core PC (with Pluton processors) protections safeguard the operating system, providing seamless defense as soon as the device boots up.
  • Cloud Integration: The cloud plays a critical role by delivering powerful analytics and AI-driven threat detection. Microsoft Defender continuously monitors devices and endpoints, ensuring that potential breaches are thwarted before they escalate.
  • Real-Time Intelligence: Integration with Microsoft 365 security tools like Microsoft Defender and cloud-based analytics means Surface devices receive continuous updates and proactive defenses regardless of where the device is located.

A Secure Ecosystem for the Future

What sets the Microsoft Surface apart is its integration into a broader ecosystem that is built from the ground up with security in mind. From hardware collaboration with Intel and silicon experts, the innovative use of the Pluton processor, to agile responses against threats like Spectre and Meltdown – all these measures come together in an environment where the chip is only the beginning. The real secret lies in how this interconnected world of Windows, Defender, and cloud-based intelligence creates a fortress that’s always one step ahead.

Microsoft Surface is not just the most secure Windows device you can buy it is the point into a cohesive zero trust security architecture that works tirelessly to protect your data, your device from hardware to Windows OS through Office apps and Microsoft 365 services and of course Defender.

Conclusion

Secure by design and Secure by default. Microsoft Surface exemplifies this chip-to-cloud approach by combining robust hardware protection with powerful OS and cloud defenses. With Zero Trust principles woven into every layer, Surface devices are designed not only to meet today’s challenges but to anticipate tomorrow’s threats.

Microsoft Surface isn’t just “the most Secure Windows device” on the market, it is part of Microsoft’s wider secure ecosystem that enables security from Chip-to-Cloud.

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What is TPM2 and why Windows 11 requires it

With Windows 10 support ending in <5 months, I thought I’d talk a little about what Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is, its role in Windows 11, and how it fits into Microsoft’s Chip-to-Cloud security strategy, along with an explanation of Microsoft’s own Pluton processors.

Why. Well, before Microsoft released TPM and made it a mandatory system requirement, few people paid attention to it but now I get asked more and more “what is TPM”. So here we go….

Introduction

Security in computing has never been more critical. As cyber threats evolve, Microsoft continues to adapt it’s proactive approach to securing Windows devices from the ground up. This is where Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Pluton processors come into play, forming key components of Microsoft’s Chip-to-Cloud security strategy.

TPM 2.0 is the latest version of TPM, the previous version being TPM 1.2

What is TPM?

TPM is a hardware-based security module designed to protect sensitive data, such as encryption keys, credentials, and system integrity measurements.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM, also known as ISO/IEC 11889) is an international standard for a secure cryptoprocessor, a dedicated microcontroller designed to secure hardware through integrated cryptographic keys. The term can also refer to a chip conforming to the standard.

It acts as a root of trust, ensuring that a device boots securely and remains protected against unauthorised access.

Why is TPM Required for Windows 11

Microsoft made TPM 2.0 a requirement for Windows 11 to enhance security across all devices.

Today, we are announcing Windows 11 to raise security baselines with new hardware security requirements built-in that will give our customers the confidence that they are even more protected from the chip to the cloud on certified devices.

David Weston, Director of Enterprise and OS Security @ Microsoft

Here’s why it’s needed.

BitLocker encryption in Windows 11 (and earlier versions) enhances security by storing encryption keys in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). When a user accesses their computer, these keys unlock the drive, ensuring seamless protection. Without the keys stored in TPM, attackers cannot decrypt the drive—such as the system drive—nor can they access the files on it.

TPM is needed because it provides and enforces:

  • Hardware-Based Protection: Unlike software-only security solutions, TPM is embedded in the hardware, making it resistant to malware and physical attacks.
  • Secure Boot & System Integrity: TPM ensures that the operating system loads securely, preventing unauthorized modifications.
  • Encryption & Authentication: Features like BitLocker and Windows Hello rely on TPM to securely store encryption keys and biometric data.
  • Defending Against Emerging Threats: With attackers increasingly targeting firmware and hardware vulnerabilities, TPM provides a trusted execution environmentthat mitigates these risks.

Microsoft’s Chip-to-Cloud Security Strategy

Microsoft’s Chip-to-Cloud approach is designed to integrate security at every level, from the silicon inside a device to cloud-based protections. TPM plays a crucial role in this strategy by ensuring that security starts at the hardware level.

Where does Pluton Fit in?

Pluton is Microsoft’s next-generation security processor, built directly into the CPU (known as System on Chip). Unlike traditional TPMs, which are separate chips, Pluton is integrated within the processor, making it even more resistant to attacks.

How Pluton Enhances Security

  • Eliminates Physical Attacks: Since Pluton is embedded within the CPU, attackers cannot extract sensitive data by physically removing or tampering with a separate TPM chip.
  • Continuous Security Updates**: Pluton receives firmware updates directly from Microsoft via Windows Update, ensuring devices remain protected against evolving threats.
  • Improved Cryptographic Security: Pluton enhances encryption capabilities, making it harder for attackers to compromise sensitive data.

Is Pluton part of TPM then?

Yes, Pluton can function as a TPM. It supports TPM 2.0 standards, meaning Windows features like BitLocker, Windows Hello, and System Guard can leverage Pluton for security.

Pluton also goes beyond TPM, offering additional security features that traditional TPMs cannot.

Pluton acts as the TPM in the new Surface Laptop and Pro released this month.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s Chip-to-Cloud security strategy ensures that Windows devices are protected at every level. TPM 2.0 provides a trusted foundation while Pluton takes security to the next level by integrating protection directly into the CPU. As cyber threats continue to evolve, these technologies will play a crucial role in safeguarding Windows devices.

Further Reading

Microsoft Pluton security processor https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/hardware-security/pluton/microsoft-pluton-security-processor


Microsoft Pluton as Trusted Platform Module https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/hardware-security/pluton/pluton-as-tpm

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Windows 365 now 20% cheaper until October 2025

With support for Windows 10 ending on 14th October 2025, Microsoft has introduced a strategic initiative aimed at easing the transition to modern computing environments and to encourage more oganisations to take a look at Windows 365.

They are offering a 20% off for any “new to Windows 365” business customers making it a great time to discover and test drive Windows 365.

What Is Windows 365?

Windows 365 is a 100% cloud-based service that streams a complete and dedicated Windows 11 operating system from the the Microsoft cloud to any device. In doing so, it this offers a modern and simple blend of mobility, security, and productivity. Being a cloud service (think Xbox Gaming) it can work on any internet connected device through a browser or Windows App. There is also a purpose-built Windows 365 Link Device which start shipping this month.

Use Cases for Windows 365

Whether you have contractors, temp staff, support bring your own device or just need to support remote workers better, Windows 365 is a simple, secure and flexible solution that adapts to your environment, your employees and your environment.

Windows 365 can work alongside an existing managed desktop and the subscription also includes Windows 10 Extended Support Updates, meaning if you use it from a Windows 10 device, you are secure and protected whilst you adopt Windows 365 or manage your transition from Windows 10 devices to more modern devices running Windows 11, like the new Surface Pro and Laptops released this week.

Windows 365 ensures that employees have access to a personalised, dedicated Windows desktop, apps, settings, and data with a single and secure login without compromise.

Why the discount counts!

Microsoft’s decision to offer a 20% discount on all Windows 365 subscriptions for first-time customers is a proactive measure to help businesses and individual users make a smooth transition ahead of Windows 10’s end of support. Here’s why the discount is a key opportunity:

  • Cost Efficiency: The discount provides immediate savings on subscription fees, making the switch to a cloud-based solution more budget-friendly. 
  • Enhanced Security: Leaving behind legacy Windows 10 systems means benefiting from next-generation security features built right into Windows 11 and Windows 365.
  • Modern Computing on Any Device: Many businesses face hardware challenges—especially with older systems that do not meet the specification or security requirements of Windows 11 . Windows 365 sidesteps this by delivering a full-featured Windows experience through the cloud whilst providing Windows 10 ESU for the base devices to keep you secure and protected.
  • Seamless Integration: Windows 365 is designed and tested to work effortlessly with your Windows applications and services including Copilot, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and other Office apps, Windows 365 ensures a cohesive ecosystem that boosts productivity and collaboration.
  • Flexibility: Windows 365 offers different SKUs for Small Business, Front Line Workers, and Enterprise and comes in different configuration specifications which can be scaled up and down as needed.

Who Can Benefit?

The 20% discount is available exclusively for first-time Windows 365 customers. It is valid for either the duration of the customer’s Enterprise Agreement contract or, for the first year of a CSP subscription.

Transitioning in the Shadow of Windows 10 End of Support

As Microsoft officially phases out support for Windows 10 in October 2025, many organizations are confronted with a pivotal decision: upgrade to newer, more secure systems or continue risking vulnerabilities on an aging operating system. Windows 365 emerges as a robust, cost-effective alternative that not only mitigates these risks but also propels organizations into a more agile and modern operational paradigm. This timely discount is a clarion call to innovate, modernize, and make a daring leap into the future of hybrid computing.

Speak to Cisilion Today

Now is the perfect moment to embrace change and take Windows 365 for a test drive. We can provide guidance, licensing, support, deployment and adoption support to help you transition or pilot Windows 365 and answer any questions you have.

The promotional SKU ends on October 31, 2025,

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New Surface Copilot+PC devices announced

Microsoft has today announced new (smaller) Copilot+ PC Surface Pro and Laptop 13″ which amongst other things provide a more cost effective Windows-powered alternative to the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch which is also due to launch this week.

These devices focus on hypermobility, versatility, and durability as key user priorities based on extensive user feedback and end user device surveys and studies.

These new devices include a “more portable” 13-inch Surface Laptop and a 12-inch Surface Pro, both of which are smaller/lower-spec versions of Microsoft’s flagship Laptop and Pro.

Both are Copilot+PCs though and powered by an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with an NPU rated at 45 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS).

New Surface Laptop (Left) and Pro (Right)

Both come with a base config of 16GB of RAM (the minimum required for a Copilot+ PC), 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage. They come in three colours, Platinum, Ocean and Violet, and Platinum.

Release date for orders is May 20, 2025, and pricing starts at $899.99 for Laptop and $799.99 for the Pro. Pre-orders are available now from Microsoft and major resellers and these will start shipping to consumers later this month and for Business customers in July.

These devices form part of Microsoft’s continuing efforts to really make their devices and experiences more accessible to more people bringing smaller, seeker devices along with much lower price points when compared to the larger Surface Laptop and Pro range without sacrificing on power, performance, and AI capability.

This latest update to the Surface line up is part of their new Copilot+ PC family, designed to handle the latest AI workloads that are flooding the market including Microsoft own Windows 11 inbox tools including Click-to-Do and Recall.

Different look and feel

These new devices sit in the middle of the Flagship Pro and Laptop and the Go range. They look sleeker and more modern too with rounder edges and softer sides. This means they will also feel like different devices but retain that premium Surface familiarity and build quality.

You will note from naming structure that these devices also fall in line to be part of the Pro and Laptop but at their very core show Microsoft’s initial take what it means to be a Copilot+ PC.

These are also the first Surface devices not to ship with the Surface Connect Port which has been a stable for Surface since the Surface Pro 4. Instead these now support USB-C PD chargers something Microsoft (along with many others) are shifting to from a standardisation, and sustainability perspective.

New Surface Pro 12″

The new Surface Pro is a hybrid 2-in-1 as you’d expect with the usual gorgeous adjustable kickstand, offering a smaller alternative to the current 13-inch Surface Pro 11th Edition.

To keep the price down, this new 12″ version comes with the 8-core Snap-Dragon Plus processor (rather than the 10 or 12 core version), the touchscreen has a lower refresh rate, resolution, and contrast ratio compared to the flagship versions.

There’s also a new Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard which is needed to turn Pro into a laptop, while the (also optional) Surface Slim Pen 2 enables the user to take notes on draw its display. Taking innovation from the Surface Laptop Studio, Slim Pen can now magnetically attach to the back of the new Surface Pro for safekeeping. Despite its compact footprint, it includes a full-size keyboard with backlit keys and a customizable touchpad

Where this device excels however is in battery life, with this being rated for 16 hours of local video playback per charge.

There is no compromise on connectivity, with 2x USB-C  and a USB-A too. You also get Wi-Fi-7, and Bluetooth 5.4.

Size wise, this 12-inch Surface Pro measures 10.8 x 7.47 x 0.3 inches and weighs just 1.5 pounds, making it “the thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC yet“.

New Surface Laptop

The new 13″ Surface Laptop, like the smaller Pro, features a downgraded 60Hz touchscreen display with lower resolution and contrast ratio and is powered by the 8-core Snap-Dragon Plus CPUs. Battery power is where this really shines with a 23 hours (rated) of local video playback per charge, compared to the Surface Laptop 7’s 20 hours.

There’s also no compromise on connectivity, with 2x USB-C  and a USB-A too. You also get Wi-Fi-7, and Bluetooth 5.4.

Dimension wide, the new Surface Laptop measures 11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 inches and weights 2.7 pounds – making it the “thinnest and lightest Surface Laptop yet” according to Microsoft.

Go or No Go?

The launch of the 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12″ Surface Pro, seems to signal the end of Microsoft’s “Go line”, and also confirms Microsoft’s commitment Windows on ARM over Intel x86-based processors. The most recent Surface Laptop Go 3, a 12.4-inch model, was powered by a 12th-gen Intel Core CPU.

Leveraging ARM based chipsets still provide the best power/performace/battery life ratios and by debuting with these again sets the differentiator and gold standard for what a Microsoft expect other Windows OEMs to follow up with.

The most sustainable and repairable Surface devices ever

Surface continues to deliver sustainability advancements. According to the Microsoft blog, the new Surface Laptop contains 100% recycled cobalt in the battery cell and 100% recycled rare earth metals in the magnets.

Microsoft have even given us a peak inside the Surface Laptop to see how just repairable they are.

Inside Surface Laptop

Microsoft has also redesigned internal components for easier access and replacement, extending the potential lifespan of these devices.

Many components can be replaced by authorised service providers or skilled technicians — supporting a more repairable, circular approach to device design.

Standardising the Copilot+PC experience

With these new devices, it means that all new Surface devices can now provide the same amount of NPU processing power (TOPS) across the fleet across-the-board meaning a great Copilot+ PC experiences.

It also means it enables all the latest native AI experiences in Windows 11, including Recall, Click-to-Do, as Microsoft continue to push the boundary of  what it means to have a Copilot+ PC.

Final thoughts.

Microsoft’s original vision of “a computer in every home and on every desk” has evolved alongside the ever-changing landscape of computing. Today’s Microsoft knows that devices need to prioritise adaptability multi modal input and mobility, tailoring themselves to individual workflows rather than enforcing standardised interaction models.

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