Latest news with #Recall
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Windows Recall Is Getting Its First Major Update
Windows Recall, a "privacy-focused" AI tool for Copilot+ PCs designed to make it easier to retrace your digital steps if you forgot what you did the day before, is going to receive a major update: a homepage. Recall has been mired in controversy since it was announced, as early critics were quick to raise concerns that the feature could be an enormous security and privacy vulnerability. Since then, Microsoft has gradually been rolling out changes and improvements to Recall designed to alleviate some of those concerns and make Recall more user-friendly. Microsoft's latest addition—which is currently in both the Beta and Dev channels of the Microsoft Insider Program—is a homepage, which Microsoft has dubbed a "personalized productivity portal." As user-facing additions go, a homepage is a pretty big improvement. As it stands currently, Recall's primary interface is a basic timeline that you can scrub through, or you can use the search bar. The search bar is a "semantic search," which means it tries to intelligently match the intention of your search, not just the actual keywords you type. The new homepage prominently features the three apps you used the most in a 24-hour period, plus the websites you've spent the most time on. It'll also display your snapshots, which should make it easier to find what you're looking for, rather than manually scrubbing through the timeline. The homepage also features a new navigation bar on the left that integrates some buttons you'd probably expect: a homepage button, a timeline button (which just takes you to the current Recall timeline as it exists now), a Settings button, and a feedback button. They're not particularly exciting features, but they are important for usability. Having the Settings front and center is a particularly welcome addition, since it will be a bit of a reminder that you can prevent Recall from capturing snapshots of certain apps or sites if you don't want them showing up in your history. While the changes being tested are certainly an improvement, I'm not completely sold on the utility unless it brings something really special to the table. If you're working on your PC day in and day out, you already know which applications you use a lot, and PowerToys (a collection of software distributed by Microsoft) already includes WorkSpaces, which lets you open a preset list of programs, specific locations on your PC, or websites with the press of a few buttons. Browsers also already list the sites you've visited recently and the sites you visit most frequently. In many ways, Recall's present form feels a lot like a solution—and a reason to use cool new AI tricks—in search of a problem.
The Verge
24-06-2025
- The Verge
Windows 11's indicators for volume and brightness can soon be moved out of the way
Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 that will let you move hardware indicators pop-ups like volume and screen brightness to the top-left and top-center positions of a display. The customization feature is part of a new Dev Channel build of Windows 11 that also includes a new Recall homepage that lists the top three apps and websites you've used in a 24-hour period. Currently, Windows 11 shows the volume, brightness, and airplane mode indicators in the bottom center of a screen. In the latest Dev Channel build you can now choose the position of these on-screen indicators so they're less in the way of apps you're using. You won't be able to pick the top right position though, presumably because that would place the indicator too close to the minimize, maximize, and close buttons for apps. Alongside the indicator changes, Microsoft is also testing a new Recall homepage. 'The new homepage brings your recent activity and top-used content front and center, enabling you to easily get back to your previous tasks,' says Microsoft's Windows Insider team. The homepage shows recent snapshots as well as top apps or websites that have been used in the past 24 hours. Recall is also getting a new navigation bar on the left side, which lets you quickly switch between this new home interface and the Timeline feature to scroll through all your snapshots. Microsoft is currently testing these changes with Windows Insiders, so expect to see them appear more broadly in Windows 11 in the coming months.
Geeky Gadgets
20-06-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Your AI Reading Assistant: 5 Top Pocket Alternatives to Boost Productivity
With Pocket preparing to shut down, finding a reliable alternative to save, organize, and interact with your content has become a priority for many users. Fortunately, several apps have emerged to fill the gap, offering innovative features tailored to diverse preferences. Whether you seek AI-powered categorization, distraction-free reading, or collaborative learning, these five alternatives stand out for their unique capabilities and practical benefits. The awesome video below from Shu Omi walks us through these five apps. Watch this video on YouTube. Recall Recall is an excellent choice for users who value AI-driven tools and seamless organization. Transitioning from Pocket is straightforward, thanks to its one-click import feature that allows you to migrate your saved content effortlessly. What makes Recall particularly appealing is its ability to categorize and summarize articles using advanced AI. The app also includes interactive Q&A features, allowing you to engage more deeply with the material you save. Recall supports a wide range of content formats, including articles, podcasts, PDFs, and videos, making it a versatile tool for managing diverse types of media. Additional features like memory retention tools—such as quizzes and knowledge graphs—help you actively retain what you've read. With cross-device functionality and automatic tagging, Recall ensures your content is always accessible and well-organized, making it a powerful option for users who prioritize both efficiency and engagement. Instapaper For those who prefer simplicity and a distraction-free reading experience, Instapaper is a strong contender. This app allows you to save articles and organize them into folders for easy access. Highlighting key passages is intuitive, and premium features like full-text search and permanent archives enhance its utility. Instapaper integrates seamlessly with platforms like Kindle and Evernote, making it a practical choice for users who already rely on these tools. Its minimalist interface ensures that the focus remains on your content, providing a clean and uncluttered reading experience. At just $6 per month, Instapaper offers an affordable solution for users who value straightforward functionality without unnecessary complexity. Qbox Qbox is a robust option that combines the best features of Pocket and Evernote, offering a comprehensive solution for content organization. The app allows you to store articles, images, and files, all neatly categorized with tags for easy retrieval. Its AI-generated summaries and insights provide a deeper understanding of your saved material, making it a valuable tool for users who want to go beyond basic content storage. Qbox also delivers a clean reading experience and includes annotation tools for marking up content. These features make it ideal for users who want to interact with their saved material more actively. Priced at $70 per year, Qbox strikes a balance between advanced functionality and affordability, catering to those who need a versatile and feature-rich platform. Glasp If you enjoy learning collaboratively, Glasp offers a unique and engaging approach to content interaction. This app emphasizes social learning, allowing you to share and view highlights from other users. Its AI clone feature remembers your highlights and provides personalized insights, enhancing your overall learning experience. Glasp is free to use, with an optional $10 per month subscription for private highlighting. For users who value community-based learning and collaboration, Glasp stands out as an innovative tool that fosters shared knowledge and interaction. Its focus on collective learning makes it particularly appealing for those who enjoy exchanging ideas and insights with others. Reader by Readwise Reader by Readwise is designed for users who want to turn reading into an active learning process. Acting as a centralized hub, it supports various content types, including articles, newsletters, PDFs, and videos. Its AI assistant, 'Ghost Reader,' provides summaries and explanations, helping you quickly grasp key concepts and extract meaningful insights. One of Reader's standout features is its daily review system, which uses spaced repetition to reinforce your learning. This method ensures that the information you consume is retained over time, making it an ideal choice for users focused on long-term knowledge retention. By combining advanced AI tools with a structured approach to learning, Reader by Readwise offers a comprehensive solution for those who want to maximize the value of their reading. Choosing the Right App for Your Needs Each of these apps offers distinct advantages, catering to a wide range of needs and preferences. Whether you're drawn to the AI-powered tools of Recall and Reader, the simplicity and focus of Instapaper, the organizational capabilities of Qbox, or the collaborative features of Glasp, there's an option to suit your requirements. By exploring these alternatives, you can find the perfect tool to enhance your reading, learning, and content organization experience. With these apps, managing and interacting with your saved content becomes not only efficient but also engaging and tailored to your personal goals. Uncover more insights about AI-powered read-it-later apps in the previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: Shu Omi Filed Under: AI, Guides, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Windows 11 May update: A controversial AI feature makes a quiet comeback
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. For the second Tuesday of May 2025, Microsoft released updates for Windows 11 22H2, 23H2, and, of course, 24H2. The latter is getting all of the most exciting updates, which Microsoft is likely hoping will entice you to make the jump to it. While the second Tuesday of the month isn't all that special for most companies, it marks Microsoft's Patch Tuesday. As the name implies, Patch Tuesday is when the tech giant rolls out new patches for its software to fix bugs and address security vulnerabilities. These patches also usually bring the previous month's preview updates, which were limited to certain insider or optional channels, to the general public. Though Microsoft has a bit of a habit of downplaying what's actually exciting in these updates in its release notes and chooses to focus on the security fixes instead, this one seems to pack quite a punch, particularly for those using a Copilot+ PC. See also: Best AI laptops in 2025 The KB5055627 patch heavily focuses on the AI-powered features The 24H2 update, delivered through the KB5058411 patch, includes all the improvements from the KB5055627 patch that Microsoft released as a Preview build on April 25, 2025. The KB5055627 patch heavily focuses on the AI-powered features Microsoft has been quietly refining for a while now, including one that turned into one of the biggest controversies of 2024: Recall. The feature is finally making a comeback… after it was, well, recalled (pun fully intended) last year due to a widespread privacy backlash. Features: Display: 16-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600) 300-nit 120Hz WVA/IPS display, CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X, GPU: Intel Arc Graphics, Storage: 512GB SSD, Ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack, Thunderbolt 4.0 (USB-C)View Deal Critically, Recall is also now an opt-in experience Recall, announced at Microsoft's 2024 Build event, is designed to help you 'recall' something by capturing snapshots of what you're doing on your PC every few seconds. For example, imagine you decided to watch a few Instagram Reels on your PC during your lunch break and came across a hilarious meme you wanted to share with your best friend. Before you can send it or save it, Instagram randomly refreshes, and that meme is lost forever. With the Recall feature, you could type something like 'funny cat meme from Instagram,' and it would harness the AI capabilities of Copilot+ PCs to 'retrieve both text and visual matches for your search.' Microsoft also added more privacy controls to avoid controversy this time around, like the option to pick which apps and websites Recall can snapshot. You'll also be able to pause or turn off the feature at any time. Critically, Recall is also now an opt-in experience, and Windows will ask for your permission before saving snapshots. You must also enroll in Windows Hello to 'confirm your presence so only you can access your screenshots.' Copilot+ PC users will also finally be able to use Click To Do, which can analyze what's on your screen and perform tasks like finding an app that can best do the job for you. You can use this feature by hitting the Windows key and clicking with the mouse, or the Windows key and the Q key. Microsoft demonstrates how this feature could be useful by giving an example of using Click To Do to select an image. The feature might display different options you can take, like using the Photos app to erase an object from the image or using Paint to remove the background. Improved Windows Search is also finally landing on Copilot+ PCs, allowing you to search for something with a description rather than the exact terminology. For instance, if you want to change the theme of your PC, instead of typing in random words you think might match the setting name, a description like 'change my theme' should suffice. Other than the Settings app, Improved Windows Search will also work in File Explorer, Windows Search in the taskbar, and even the Photos app. The May 2025 Windows 11 update also includes a new Speech Recap feature in Windows's built-in screen reader, Narrator, which can track what the Narrator said while providing you with a live transcription. The update also makes it easier to control or access your phone from your PC by placing Phone Link right in the Start menu. The security updates, compared to the new features, are relatively limited, so you don't need to rush to update to protect your PC. There are also no known issues in the April 2025 update, though, like every Windows update, bugs can surface as users begin to install it and start reporting their experiences. That may not be the last concession for Windows 10 holdouts. This update arrives just ahead of Microsoft Build 2025, which will be held from May 19 to 22 in Seattle, Washington. Now that Microsoft has finally rolled out all of the features announced at Build 2024, we can expect a new collection to debut with a heavy focus on AI again. We'll also be keeping an eye out for any additional details on end-of-support plans for Windows 10, as Microsoft recently walked back the end of Microsoft 365 support for Windows 10 users. That may not be the last concession for Windows 10 holdouts. Life with Microsoft Recall: I spent weeks testing Windows 11's most controversial feature Microsoft's next 50 years are all about making AI feel useful Best AI PC in 2025: My 6 top AI laptops tested and reviewed
Fast Company
06-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
1.7 million air conditioners recalled just as summer heat hits
Before you install that window AC unit to beat the summer heat, it's worth taking a closer look: Yesterday, the appliance manufacturer Midea, who makes units for a number of brands including Frigidaire and Insignia, recalled more than 1.7 million AC units due to the risk of mold exposure. The news comes as, according to industry experts, AC units are expected to get significantly more expensive this summer due to tariff-based supply chain issues. Here's what you need to know about the recall: What is the reason for the recall? On June 5, Midea issued a voluntary recall for about 1.7 million window AC units sold in the U.S. and another 45,900 sold in Canada, according to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to the notice, the reason for the recall stems from potential mold growth inside the affected units: 'Pooled water in the air conditioners can fail to drain quickly enough, which can lead to mold growth,' it reads. 'Mold exposure poses risks of respiratory issues or other infections to some consumers.' Further, the report notes that Midea is aware of at least 152 reports of mold in the air conditioners so far. Which products are being recalled? The recall involves U and U+ window AC unit models made by Midea. These models were sold under a variety of brand names, including Midea, Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, LBG Products, Mr. Cool, Perfect Aire, and Sea Breeze. Affected units were sold in three sizes of cooling power: 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU. Customers can find a full list of impacted model numbers, organized by brand name, on the CPSC webpage. Where were the recalled units sold? The recalled units were sold at a number of big box stores, as well as a wide variety of online retailers. The physical retailers include: Costco Menards Home Depot Best Buy The affected units were also available online at retailers including: Each unit sold within the span of March 2020 to May 2025 for between $280 and $500. Have the recalled units hurt anyone? Unfortunately, yes. Midea has received 17 reports so far of consumers 'experiencing symptoms such as respiratory infections, allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing and/or sore throats from mold exposure,' per the CPSC. What should I do if I have a recalled unit? If you have a recalled unit, do not use it. Instead, you can contact Midea for a free repair or a full or prorated refund. The company told The New York Times that all Midea U buyers will be eligible for a refund (although the amount will depend on how long you've had your air conditioner) or it will mail a free DIY kit to anyone who would prefer to fix their unit. For those who have attempted to repair the unit at home, Midea will still offer refunds or fixes.
