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smart snap

Win 11’s AI feature smart snap layout is out. Is it worth the hype?

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In the fall, Windows 11 will receive a substantial update, and one of the latest additions might be Snap powered by AI. Soon, there will be an AI update that will revamp the windowing and snapping experiences. “Smart Snap,” which tries to alter the OS’s snap assist behavior, would be one of the initial new features.

It has now been discovered in the preview builds that Windows 11 would soon introduce an early version of the AI-driven smart snap layout features.

smart snap
Image Source: windowslatest.com

Microsoft has been developing the Smart Snap feature internally, which is now available for preview. Even still, it seems to be concealed and only operates in specific setups.

Also Read: What is the new RGB lighting feature in Windows 11?

Windows features a snap feature that helps you to multitask by displaying many app windows on a single screen while also increasing productivity by letting you select from a variety of layouts and sizes. While working on particular tasks, makes it simpler to maximize screen space.

Microsoft added “Snap Assist” with Windows 11, which pops up immediately after snapping the first window and displays open windows as thumbnails so that you may choose which one you want to focus on.

In order to enhance user experience, Windows 11’s snap feature will soon include smart snapping capabilities. Windows Latest is aware that this feature resembles artificial intelligence (AI) in that it can recall and comprehend a user’s snapping behavior.

The new functionality from Microsoft, internally referred to as “smart snap,” enables the operating system to recall snap configurations for particular groups of apps and restore them with a single click.

The smart snap layouts feature in Windows 11 is designed to improve multitasking and productivity by automatically arranging open windows on the screen in a way that makes sense. This feature uses AI to analyze the contents of the windows and suggests layouts that will allow users to work more efficiently.

Based on the information that has been leaked about this feature, it does seem like it could be a useful addition to the Windows operating system. The ability to automatically arrange windows in a way that maximizes productivity could be a significant benefit for users who frequently multitask or have to switch between different applications.

However, it is also worth noting that this feature is not entirely new, as similar window-snapping capabilities have been available in Windows for several versions.

Also Read: Microsoft to Improve Default App Settings in Windows 11?

What sets the smart snap layouts feature apart is its use of AI to make more intelligent and personalized window arrangements. Overall, whether the smart snap layouts feature in Windows 11 is worth the hype will depend on how well it performs in practice and how useful users find it in their daily work.

Microsoft is also thinking about displaying real-time recommendations and integrating Microsoft 365 with File Explorer.

Windows 11

Microsoft to Improve Default App Settings in Windows 11?

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One of the lasting effects of the browser battles of the 1990s has been an excessive focus on how Microsoft manages default app settings in Windows 11, particularly browser settings.

Microsoft’s handling of app defaults in Windows 11 has frequently drawn criticism. In comparison to Windows 10, the latest operating system makes it harder for users to switch from Microsoft’s pre-installed apps to third-party ones.

Windows 11
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That could soon change, though, as Microsoft intends to make it simpler for users who want to alter the default Windows 11 apps.

Also Read: With GPT-4, are we one step closer to losing our jobs?

Microsoft announced the new feature for Windows 11 users in a blog post, stating that it is “reaffirming our long-standing approach to put people in control of their Windows PC experience.” This feature will allow users to quickly control changes to their app defaults.

Microsoft stated in a blog post,”We want to ensure that people are in control of what gets pinned to their Desktop, their Start menu and their Taskbar as well as to be able to control their default applications such as their default browser through consistent, clear and trustworthy Windows provided system dialogs and settings.”

The tech juggernaut was reacting to the cumbersome app-switching procedure. For instance, if a user wishes to switch from Edge to Chrome as the default browser, they must manually set Chrome as the default for each corresponding file and link type in addition to setting Chrome as the default browser overall.

Later OS updates made switching between browsers a little bit simpler, allowing you to select a default browser with just one button by going to that browser in the Default Apps section of the Settings app. However, compared to Windows 10, the option was still hidden, and it only worked for browsers, limiting image editors and other apps to use the more complicated one-file-type-at-a-time controls.

Microsoft will now give developers of apps “the ability to make their app the default or pin their app to the taskbar” through a “commonly supported way”. Additionally, it stated that its own apps would adhere to the same standard for defaults and pinning in order to prevent favoritism for the applications in its ecosystem.

Also Read: How to set up Discord on PS5 and PS4?

Developers will be given a new Settings deep link URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) so they can direct their customers to the proper default settings. Microsoft will launch an API for app pinning that will let external apps be instantly pinned as the taskbar’s main or secondary tiles. According to Microsoft, these new features will initially be available on the Windows Insider Channel over the following few months.

It is not necessary to use these new features, and app developers who are already handling things distinctly won’t need to alter their apps right away. However, the business claims that later this year, after application developers have had time to implement these new best practices, it will start taking more steps to prevent “unrequested modifications to a user’s choices.”

windows 11

Microsoft brings iMessage to Windows 11, will it last?

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Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it intends to counter one of the major advantages enjoyed by Apple products by incorporating fresh interoperability features to Windows 11. These features will enable Windows 11 to interact with iPhones to view notifications, send texts, and make and take calls.

Windows 11
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By connecting an iPhone and a Windows 11 computer via Bluetooth radio, the new feature, which Microsoft is dubbing Phone Link for iOS, will enable “basic” support for calls, texts, and app alerts.

The software is initially only available for limited public testing, and it prevents users from sending multimedia messages like pictures and videos or joining group message chats.

Also Read: Are all Google One subscribers now able to access Magic Eraser?

The feature’s announcement was made in a blog post by Microsoft’s chief product officer, Panos Panay. “This builds on our continued efforts to bring you closer to what’s more important,” he wrote. Microsoft’s attempts with its Phone Link software are merely the most recent in a line of initiatives to better integrate Windows PCs with Apple’s well-known products and services.

In particular, Apple’s iMessage tool for texting and iCloud for pictures, documents, contacts, and calendars helped make numerous sync and messaging services for smartphones popular.

Additionally, it has made use of those technologies to link up its Mac computers, iPad tablets, and iPhone smartphones in a way that observers of the market say makes Apple products stick out.

However, over the last few years, Microsoft has released enhancements that make Windows Computers more similar to Apple products, including an updated photos app that supports Apple devices, more iCloud syncing, and a phone link application for devices running Google’s Android operating system.

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that its new features for Android smartphones would be included in the Windows 11 upgrade, including the capacity to switch on a Samsung device’s personal hotspot from a computer.

According to Microsoft, Samsung customers will also be able to access websites they recently viewed on their phones from a computer. Both features have long been accessible on Apple devices.

Microsoft is starting testing with a “small percentage” of testers this week, but if you’re intrigued, you can test the new Phone Link feature for iOS in the Dev, Release Preview, and Beta networks for Windows Insiders.

Also Read: Will the iPhone 15 Pro have as much RAM as a MacBook?

The Windows team at Microsoft stated in a blog post, “We will increase the availability of the preview to more Insiders over time and based on feedback we receive with this first set of Insiders.”

Microsoft has never before supported calls or messaging for iPhone users, so this is a move in the correct direction. The Phone Link interface for iOS is basic in comparison to what’s available for Android. Contrary to other PC link applications we’ve seen from Dell, Intell, and others, Phone Link is included with Windows 11, making it native as well.

RGB lighting

What is the new RGB lighting feature in Windows 11?

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Microsoft is attempting to make Windows 11 natively support RGB PC gaming devices. PC gamers will be able to configure gadgets with RGB lighting using the Windows lighting interface without needing to install any additional software.

According to reports, Windows 11’s most recent Insider Build will provide direct system management of RGB lighting. The majority of Windows gaming laptops and PCs have RGB lighting as an accessory to improve the gaming experience.

RGB Lighting
Image Source: engadget.com

Most businesses, like Dell, HP, Asus, and Lenovo, provide consumers with specialised apps that let them manage these colours or the aesthetics they produce.

However, Windows 11’s settings do not have a native control or programme for these RGB lights. The light control function is reportedly being developed by Microsoft right now to eliminate the requirement for third-party apps.

Also Read: Google has rolled out Immersive View for Maps across five cities

The most recent public test releases of Windows 11 have evidence of early work incorporating this new lighting experience, according to Twitter user Albacore.

The Windows 11 settings interface contains options for adjusting the lighting effects, brightness, speed, and colours. Even better, there is a capability that will match users’ accessories to the accent colour of Windows.

Users of Windows 11 wouldn’t need to download apps from Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and other companies in order to receive the very minimum capability for modifying RGB effects thanks to Microsoft’s own native lighting controls.

Although Microsoft hasn’t yet made an official announcement on lighting features of Windows 11, the company is currently working on a variety of test features that are anticipated to be included in a major upgrade to Windows 11 sometime this year.

When it comes to Windows as a gaming platform for personal computers, Microsoft’s strategy is all over the place. Controlling RGB lighting was obviously going to become a part of Windows, but with Windows 10 and now Windows 11, the merging of the Xbox application and PC Game Pass has seen a new emphasis on Windows as a centre for gaming.

Also Read: Will Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 live up to the hype?

A built-in screen recorder has finally been integrated into Windows 11 with the Snipping Tool, according to a recent announcement from the company. Support for multiple tabs in Notepad has also begun to undergo testing. In Windows 11 Task Manager, Redmond is also experimenting with live kernel memory dumps, which would be very helpful in identifying bugs and performance problems.

In the meantime, on February 14, Microsoft permanently disabled Internet Explorer from the Windows 10 operating system. Users are now routed to Microsoft Edge when they click the Internet Explorer button on a Windows 10 PC.

Windows 11

In India, Windows 11 Is Now Available For Download: How To Install It On Your Computer, And New Features.

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Windows 11 is now available. This is the most significant update to the Microsoft platform in years, and it represents significant progress since the release of Windows 10 in 2015. Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 to all Windows 10 PCs worldwide, but only those with the new CPU will be supported. Hundreds of Windows 10 PCs are immediately excluded, making it even more critical to understand whether and how Windows will be available to you.
New PC models from manufacturers including Asus, HP, and Lenovo are already starting to come with Windows 11 pre-installed. Others come from partners like Acer and Dell. Microsoft is also bringing pre-installed Windows 11 to its lineup of new Surface devices that will arrive in the US starting today.

How do you install Windows 11 on an existing PC?

In addition to the new PCs, Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 for eligible PCs in stages. You can check for Windows 11 updates on your PC by going to the Windows Update section. You can also download the Microsoft PC Health app to your PC to check if the machine is eligible to receive updates once they arrive.
If your PC is eligible for Windows 11 but the update has not arrived, you can get the latest Windows operating system using the Microsoft Setup Wizard. You just need to press the Download Now button on the installation assistant and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Microsoft has also provided the option where you can create a Windows 11 disk image (ISO) which will be available on a bootable installation media such as a USB flash. drive or DVD will help you in installing a new version of Windows on your computer.

Windows 11
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Requirements

Microsoft has published the Windows 11 system requirements on its website so that you can see if your PC is compatible. A PC with an 8th generation Intel Coffee Lake CPU or AMD Zen 2 or higher is required to run Windows 11. This means that a recent PC should be able to run Windows 11 with official support. However, Microsoft will not prevent you from installing Window on an incompatible machine; however, you will not receive any official support for that version.
Another requirement is that TPM 2.0 be enabled on the CPU. The Trusted Platform Module is enabled by default on newer CPUs, but some older compatible CPUs will require a BIOS update from the manufacturer. BIOS updates for older chipset PCs have been implemented by Asus, Acer, HP, and Dell, among others. As a result, you must ensure that your computer has at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (HDD or SSD). You’ll also need at least a 9-inch screen with a 720p resolution.

Features

Windows 11, which was released in June, is Microsoft’s most advanced PC operating system. New user interfaces with a centrally aligned Start menu, updated fonts, and notification sounds are included in this new version. Microsoft Teams is also integrated, allowing users to communicate with others via chat, voice, or video calls. Snap Layout and Groups in Windows11 also help with multitasking. It also supports multiple desktops and includes Narrator, Magnifier, Subtitle, and Windows Speech Recognition, among other accessibility features.
Windows 11 includes haptic feedback support for stylus pens, including the Surface Slim Pen 2, and a larger touch target for the latest form factor.
There’s also a special feature for PC gamers. DirectX 12, the ability to enable and disable Auto HDR, and DirectStorage, which is said to help make graphics look more detailed and better when using NVMe SSD storage and DirectX 12. GPU, are all included. The Xbox app comes pre-installed, allowing users to browse, download, and play over 100 PC games. A special app gives players access to Xbox Game Pass (subscription required) so they can play a variety of games on their PC.
Businesses and students, in addition to regular users, can use Windows11. Using Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft has made it possible for businesses to migrate their teams to the new version of Windows in the cloud.
Windows will also get new features, such as the ability to run Android applications in the future. Microsoft demonstrated special access to the Amazon Appstore in the Microsoft Store during the launch, allowing new Android applications to be downloaded on Windows 11 PCs.

Windows 11

Windows 11 is out with New Features and Better Interface.

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Exactly after six years of the launch of Windows 10 (July 2015), Microsoft has come up with another version of its Windows operating system, i.e. Windows 11. The company has made a few changes in terms of the look and feel of the OS and has also eliminated many old features that were no longer relevant. There have been a lot of talks about the new OS for the past year, and people have been successful in getting some information about it before the official release, but still, there is a lot that came with the actual launch of the product.

What’s New in Windows 11

Microsoft is the leading OS developer, and most people use Windows PCs because of its simplicity. This time too, the company has tried to simplify the interface even more for the users, such that to maintain its popularity amid the tough competition from rivals like macOS and Chrome OS. Though Microsoft has held its position quite strong, improvement is still important to stay relevant. The new Windows 11 has got a new UI, better windows management features as well as it will now offer support for Android apps as well.

Windows 11
Image Source: c.s-microsoft.com

The Updated Features

Talking about the redesign of the Windows 11 OS, the company has been making changes to the taskbar of the OS for past years, but the look has always been similar. This time, the company has shifted the windows icon and other app icons to the middle of the taskbar from the left but has kept the items in the right as it is. Microsoft has still kept the option to place the start button and other icons on the left open.

When we click on the windows icon, the start menu opens up in the center of the screen, having a search bar on the top of it. Below the search bar, the menu says Pinned Apps, under which a 6*6 grid of apps has been placed. Following the grid underneath, there is space for app recommendations. There is an option for putting up the user’s picture below the recommendation section in the menu on the left and the power off button on the right.

The next big change has been made to the startup tone of Windows along with the other notification tones as well as it has got new themes and wallpapers, too. Microsoft has also introduced a new feature Snap Layouts with Windows 11, which enhances the multitasking experience for the users as now the users can open multiple different screens on the desktop by hovering the mouse over the maximize button. The OS is capable of remembering the users’ choices as well, such that it will keep the previously selected windows and apps ready in the form of Snap Group for easy access in the future.

Microsoft has also added support for multiple monitors in Windows 11, so it becomes easier for the users to use the work on virtual desktops. This support for virtual desktops also includes the option to put different wallpapers for different screens. The company has also tried to improve the touch experience for the Windows tablets, which it had intended to do with its Windows 10X project, which never saw the daylight.

Side-by-side, Microsoft has also made some improvements to the touch keyboard and has included support for GIFs in partnership with Tenor. The keyboard allows the voice commands for making typing easier.

The new normal work and study from home culture have also inspired Microsoft to add some features for people. The company has incorporated the Teams app into Windows 11 and has also made it easier for the users to share their screens with each other during the meeting.

Microsoft has also kept the gamers in mind and has incorporated support for Auto HDR and DirectX 12 Ultimate as well as for xCloud in Windows 11. The users also get an Xbox Game Pass along with the OS, which lets them play popular games on their machines.

Microsoft has also revamped the design of its Microsoft Store for Windows 11 and has adopted the new zero-revenue share for the developers. According to the new policy, Microsoft has exempted the commission on uploading apps on Microsoft Store for the developers, so that it can attract more and more developers. Other than Microsoft Store, the company has also incorporated the Amazon AppStore into the new OS, so that to make Android App available for the users.

Also, the company claims that the new OS is faster in terms of installing updates as now the updates will be 40% smaller, and these will run in the background to provide a seamless experience for the users.

Availability, Free Upgrade, and Hardware Requirements

For now, Windows 11 has been made available to the insider members, and the Windows 10 users will receive the upgrade by the end of this year. Windows 11 is available in Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro versions.

According to the company, the new PCs will be empowered by Windows 11 only, whereas Windows 10 PC users will have the access to the PC Health Check app, which will define if their PCs are suitable for Windows 11 upgrade or not. For the Windows 7 and 8 PCs, the Windows 11 be available only after the users purchase a Windows 10 license.

Talking about the hardware requirements, the OS will run on a 64-bit x86 or ARM processor and need 4GB of RAM as well as 64GB of storage.