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Microsoft’s CoPilot just made a game-changing leap forward, rolling out features that make its AI feel more like an attentive sidekick than just a tool. Imagine an AI that picks up on your preferences, guides you through tough decisions, and helps in a way that actually fits your style. CoPilot’s new features — like CoPilot Voice, Think Deeper, and CoPilot Vision — aren’t just designed to make life easier; they aim to make interactions feel more personal and adaptable. Let’s break it down.

CoPilot Voice: A New Way to Talk to AI

First up, CoPilot Voice. This isn’t just any voice feature; Microsoft has built CoPilot Voice to learn from how you speak, eventually adapting to sound more like the way you think and communicate. So, if you’re looking for the perfect housewarming gift, but your friend doesn’t drink wine, CoPilot might suggest something more unique, like artisanal teas or a gourmet basket. And the best part? You can choose from four different voices — it’s like choosing your AI companion’s personality. Available now in English in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Microsoft has plans to expand this to more regions soon.

Think Deeper: Help for Big Decisions

Then there’s Think Deeper. You know those decisions that can’t be answered with a quick yes or no, like whether to switch careers or plan a home renovation? Think Deeper uses advanced reasoning models to lay out a clear, structured approach, helping you make sense of complex choices. Instead of giving a single response, it dives into each part of the decision, from costs to timing to potential trade-offs. Right now, it’s in CoPilot Labs and available to Pro users in select regions, but it’s already getting attention for how much smarter it makes decision-making feel.

CoPilot Vision: See What You See

Microsoft knows that sometimes, words alone aren’t enough. Enter CoPilot Vision, a feature that’s designed to “see” what’s on your screen in real-time. Let’s say you’re browsing for furniture in Edge. CoPilot Vision can analyze the page and offer suggestions, like complementary color schemes or arrangement ideas. The beauty of CoPilot Vision is that it’s a visual tool, but Microsoft has built it with strict privacy controls. It’s opt-in, doesn’t store data, and can’t access paywalled or sensitive content.

CoPilot Daily: Your Morning Brief

For those who like to start the day informed, CoPilot Daily is like your personal news briefing, blending news, weather, and essential updates from partners like Reuters and USA Today. It’s concise, focusing on quality over quantity, and will expand to more regions over time.

CoPilot Discover: Bridging the Gap

CoPilot Discover is designed to help users make the most of Microsoft’s tools without feeling lost. Whether it’s suggesting new ways CoPilot can assist based on your activity or pointing out useful functions, Discover is here to guide. It learns from how you interact with Microsoft’s ecosystem, but always with user consent. The aim? To make CoPilot feel like a natural part of your day, not just an extra tool.

Bing’s Generative Search and Privacy Protections

Bing’s new Generative Search also adds value to the experience, generating answers dynamically rather than just listing links. Privacy-wise, Microsoft has emphasized transparency: any personal data used by CoPilot Vision is erased after each session, and you can opt out of personalized recommendations.

But Not Everyone’s Thrilled

While Microsoft envisions CoPilot as a friendlier AI companion, not all users are sold. On forums like Blind, Microsoft employees and users have expressed frustration. Some say CoPilot is now slower, freezes more, and misses real-time information or the option to delete old conversations — features they loved in the older version. The new focus on “friendliness” doesn’t resonate with everyone; some users just want a practical tool to get things done. App reviews echo this, with complaints that it feels “dumbed down” or less effective than before.

Microsoft insists that this update is just the beginning, with CoPilot designed to feel simpler and more approachable. General Manager Kumar described the aim as creating a more “calm and accessible” experience, but for now, it seems like there’s a trade-off between personality and practicality.

The Takeaway

In the end, Microsoft’s CoPilot updates aim to transform it from a straightforward assistant into a responsive companion. Whether users will embrace this shift remains to be seen. For some, the personal touch feels like a step forward. For others, it’s a step away from the CoPilot they loved