Microsoft Unveils Groundbreaking Innovations at Build 2024 Event
Microsoft set the stage for its Build 2024 developer conference with a series of groundbreaking announcements in a special keynote event on May 20 at its Redmond campus in Washington. The event showcased Microsoft’s commitment to innovation with the introduction of several game-changing technologies, including:
Copilot+ PCs
Leading the charge was the reveal of Microsoft’s latest category of personal computers, the Copilot+ PCs. Featuring built-in Copilot AI and Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors from Qualcomm capable of a staggering 40 trillion operations per second, these PCs promise unprecedented performance.
SEE: Microsoft Copilot Cheat Sheet: Price, Versions & Benefits
Equipped with neural processing units tailored to drive new AI features within the Windows 11 operating system, Copilot+ PCs can seamlessly suggest settings, draft responses to notifications, and edit files in File Explorer. Additionally, the Prism translation layer allows for cross-compatibility, enabling software designed for Intel and AMD chips to function seamlessly on Arm-powered devices.
Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of consumer marketing, highlighted that Copilot+ devices outpace the MacBook Air with a significant 58% speed boost. The devices will be available from Microsoft and partner manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, Acer, HP, and Asus.
Fast AI assistants running directly on the device were flagged as a standout feature, presenting a compelling reason to upgrade PCs.
Copilot and GPT-4o Integration
In an exciting development, Microsoft announced the integration of GPT-4o with Copilot, leveraging voice and vision capabilities to enhance user interactions. OpenAI’s latest model allows for on-screen contextual question answering, showcased through a demonstration guiding users through the sandbox video game Minecraft.
SEE: OpenAI’s Next Flagship Model Is the ‘Natively Multimodal’ GPT-4o
Recall Feature
Introducing Recall, an AI-powered feature empowering Copilot+ PC owners to effortlessly search through their device’s history. By locally logging all activity, including web browsing, file creation, and voice chats, Recall offers a comprehensive account of past interactions. Seamlessly integrated with Timeline, this feature provides a user-friendly interface for easy recall of past activities.
Demonstrations during the keynote showcased the ability to rediscover old PowerPoint slides, past online shopping choices, and conversations from messaging apps like Discord. Notably, Recall prioritizes user privacy by storing data solely on the device and not leveraging it for AI training.
Surface Pro 11
The Surface Pro 11 marks the flagship Copilot+ PC, boasting Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips that deliver up to a 90% performance boost compared to its predecessor. With native support for ARM64 processors, popular apps like Microsoft 365, Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, and WhatsApp run seamlessly on the device.
Designed for enhanced accessibility, the Surface Pro 11 features a Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, offering versatility in usage. The device’s external attributes include a 13-inch screen, multiple color options, and a cutting-edge OLED display with HDR support. Pre-orders for the Surface Pro 11 are open, with global availability slated for June 18, starting at $999.99.
Surface Laptop 7
Complementing the Surface Pro 11, the Surface Laptop 7 excels in performance, surpassing its predecessor by over 80% and showcasing nearly double the battery life. A live demonstration pitted the Surface Laptop 7 against the Apple MacBook Air, with the former emerging as the faster contender.
Featuring a sleek design with thinner bezels and an array of color choices, the Surface Laptop 7 offers a refined user experience. Available for pre-order now, starting at $999.99, the device is set to ship internationally on June 18.
AI-Optimized Creative Apps
Microsoft’s collaboration with industry giants like Adobe has resulted in the optimization of creative software suites for Copilot+ PCs, enhancing user experience and performance. Adobe’s suite of apps, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Firefly, Express, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, are tailored for seamless integration with Microsoft’s innovative devices.
Furthermore, a selection of creative apps like DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, Cephable, LiquidText, and djay Pro have been optimized to leverage the ARM64 processor for enhanced performance. Noteworthy additions include Cocreator, an AI tool integrated with Paint for enhanced creative workflows.
For a more in-depth look into Microsoft’s Surface and Copilot AI event, the full keynote is accessible on the Microsoft YouTube channel.
