Microsoft is rolling out a refreshed sign-in experience for over a billion Microsoft account users, with a simpler, cleaner look using Fluent 2 design. You’ll get a more focused layout and automatic dark mode, starting with Xbox and soon everywhere else.
Signing up now defaults to passwordless logins, letting you skip passwords entirely and use passkeys or email codes instead. If you're part of the roll out, you'll notice the dark mode when signing into Microsoft account, only if your device is also using dark mode.
This modern sign-in experience is gradually coming to web and mobile apps through April, with Windows apps following shortly after.
Microsoft is bringing Copilot AI to your personal OneDrive—but it may not be everyone's favorite addition. Starting now through June 2025, if you're a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriber, Copilot will show up automatically in your OneDrive web account.
Copilot can summarize lengthy documents, answer your specific questions about contracts or healthcare papers, and compare up to five documents at once. Each action costs one "AI credit," and you'll get 60 per month.
However, if you're cautious about privacy, remember: Copilot only accesses files you specifically select—your other files stay untouched. It depends on what you prefer, but Copilot isn't the solution for everyone. Don't use it and it will not touch your data.
Microsoft is bringing new AI capabilities to Windows 11, but everything is limited to Snapdragon PCs (or soon Intel Lunar Lake, Ryzen AI). The best feature is semantic search, which is a smarter, more intuitive way to find files without needing exact filenames.
Instead of remembering specific words, you'll be able to type a description, like "photo of kids at school," and Windows will find it.
This feature is coming soon to Windows Search and the Settings app. Additionally, File Explorer will gain semantic photo search, letting you find images with natural phrases like "summer picnic," making it easier to locate your files using everyday language.
Microsoft is testing a new useless Copilot button in the Photos app, though right now it offers basic advice rather than groundbreaking features. Clicking the button gives you quick editing tips, framing suggestions, and some additional details about your images.
The feature hints at future capabilities similar to Edge's AI-driven Copilot Vision, potentially adding deeper image analysis. However, as of now, it's fairly limited. This update (version 2025.11030.20006.0) is rolling out gradually via the Microsoft Store, so you might see it soon.
In addition to the Copilot button, Microsoft added an OCR feature to the Photos app, which allows you to extract text from images. And, it also turned on JPEG-XL (JXL) support.
Microsoft is boosting its Windows Photos app with powerful new features inspired by Designer. You can now easily copy text directly from your photos thanks to OCR (Optical Character Recognition)—just select the text and paste it anywhere you want.
The app also borrows design tools from Microsoft Designer, letting you quickly turn your pictures into greeting cards or graphics. Photos will even show images from subfolders automatically and support the JXL file format.
JXL support was added to File Explorer via an extension from the Store. Now, it's also inside Photos app. These new features are rolling out now in Photos app version 2025.11030.20006.0, available through the Microsoft Store.
ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode just got a big upgrade, making our conversations feel way more natural. Now, it doesn't jump in or cut you off as quickly when you're thinking or pausing mid-sentence—just like chatting with a real person.
I gave it a try myself. When I spoke, it actually waited patiently while I paused to think, instead of jumping right in. It also feels livelier, responding in a direct and friendly tone that's less robotic.
If you love using voice assistants but hate being interrupted, you're gonna like this update, which is rolling out via a server-side change.
Get it via Play Store/App Store.
Microsoft could soon unveil smaller Surface devices around its 50th anniversary on April 4. That's according to new certifications spotted in China.
According to the certifications, we're looking at new 12-inch versions of the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, smaller than current models (Surface Pro 11 at 13 inches, Laptop 7 at 13.8 or 15 inches). The rumored Surface Laptop might replace the Laptop Go. Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed these devices yet.
It's likely these smaller Surfaces will run Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus platform rather than the more powerful Oryon CPU. We'll be sharing more details soon, but remember the event is more than just Surface.
Microsoft has stopped bundling a power supply with Surface Pro 11 tablets in some European markets, aligning with the EU's push to cut electronic waste.
Buyers now receive slimmer packaging containing only the Surface Pro and a quick-start guide. If you need a charger, Microsoft sells a separate 65W power supply for €90 (currently discounted).
Other tech giants like Apple and Google have made similar moves with their tablets. The EU directive doesn't mandate charging extra, but Microsoft has opted to do so, following industry trends. There's currently no confirmation if a USB-C cable is included instead.
Oh well.
Day One, the well-known journaling app, has officially launched on Windows 11 via the Microsoft Store.
Already popular on macOS, Android, iOS, and the web, the Windows app offers offline access, rich text editing, photo/video uploads, auto-tagging, and secure encryption.
Premium subscribers ($2.92/month billed annually) gain unlimited journals, cloud syncing, audio recordings, and voice-to-text transcription. To celebrate the launch, Windows devices won't count against your device limit.
Day One also announced upcoming AI-driven features designed to inspire deeper reflection with context-aware prompts and entry summaries, making journaling easier and more engaging.
Google Gemini no longer requires you to sign in to access its basic AI features.
You can now use Gemini's 2.0 Flash model directly from gemini.google.com without a Google account, though advanced features like Deep Research or Personalization still require logging in.
Android users, however, still need to log in. Gemini will fully replace Google Assistant later this year, adding new capabilities like real-time document editing with "Deep Research," enhanced personalization, and converting your assistant into a podcast-style experience with Gemini’s voice mode.
Google continues adding new features to Gemini as the transition approaches.
Mayank Parmar
Abhishek Mishra
Abhijith M B
