TLDR:
- Microsoft Edge Canary is testing a new feature called Copilot Vision
- Copilot has transformed into a simplified, chat-focused AI companion
- The new Copilot emphasizes voice interaction and casual conversation
- Web search functionality has been removed from voice commands in Copilot
- Microsoft is positioning Copilot as an AI conversation partner rather than just a productivity tool
Microsoft’s Copilot, the AI-powered assistant, has undergone significant changes in recent weeks, shifting from a web search tool to a more conversational AI companion.
This transformation reflects Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to redefine the role of AI in daily computing experiences.
Copilot Vision, a new feature currently being tested in Microsoft Edge Canary, aims to enhance the AI’s ability to understand and interact with web content.
This tool, when fully implemented, will allow Copilot to analyze the webpage a user is viewing and provide relevant assistance or suggestions using natural language.
Microsoft has stated that Copilot Vision will initially work on a select number of pre-approved websites and will not function on paywalled or sensitive content.
To enable Copilot Vision in Edge Canary, users can access the browser’s flags menu and enable the appropriate setting. However, as the feature is still in its early testing phase, its functionality is limited and may not work correctly for all users.
Parallel to the development of Copilot Vision, Microsoft has rolled out a significant update to the main Copilot experience across various platforms, including Windows PCs, web browsers, and mobile devices. The new interface presents a simplified, pastel-toned design that encourages users to engage in casual conversation with the AI.
One of the most notable changes in this update is the emphasis on voice interaction. Users are now prompted to use the microphone feature to communicate with Copilot, creating a more natural, conversational experience.
The AI responds with its own voice, chosen from four options, and even asks for the user’s name to personalize the interaction.
This shift in focus has led to some surprising changes in Copilot’s capabilities. Most notably, the ability to perform web searches through voice commands has been removed.
When asked to search for information online, Copilot now suggests ways for users to find the information themselves rather than conducting the search directly.
This change has puzzled some users, as web search functionality was previously a core feature of the Bing Chat experience, which preceded Copilot.
Despite these limitations, users can still access a more traditional search-oriented AI experience by visiting the Bing Chat website. Additionally, typing text prompts to Copilot still appears to allow for web searches, suggesting that the removal of this feature may be specific to voice interactions.
The new Copilot also introduces features like “Copilot Daily,” which provides users with AI-generated spoken updates on recent news stories. This feature aligns with Microsoft’s vision of Copilot as an everyday AI companion that can assist with various aspects of a user’s digital life.
Microsoft’s approach with the latest Copilot update represents a significant pivot in the company’s AI strategy.
By emphasizing casual conversation and voice interaction, Microsoft is positioning Copilot as more than just a productivity tool. The company seems to be betting on users’ desire for an AI-based conversation partner, similar to the concept explored in the movie “Her.”
The new Copilot experience is currently available in English in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans to expand to more languages and regions in the future.
