At their Windows 11 and Surface event on September 21, 2023, Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, unveiled Microsoft Copilot, a highly sophisticated AI companion. Alongside Copilot, a plethora of updates to Windows 11 and a new line of Surface devices were revealed.
Windows 11: More Than Just an Update
The Windows 11 update, slated for September 26, promises an overhaul with over 150 new features. From AI enhancements in the Photos app to auto-save functionalities in Notepad, the update aims to redefine user interaction across the board.
Microsoft Copilot: Your Everyday AI Companion
“We have been building AI-powered copilots into our most used and loved products – making coding more efficient with GitHub, transforming productivity at work with Microsoft 365, redefining search with Bing and Edge,” Mehdi stated. Microsoft Copilot aims to integrate effortlessly into your daily digital interactions, available across Windows 11, Microsoft 365, Edge, and Bing. A simple right-click summons Copilot to assist you, positioning it as an omnipresent digital helper.
Easing Your Audio Experience: The New Volume Mixer
However, what particularly caught the eye of users and tech aficionados is the introduction of a new volume mixer. According to Windows 11 hacker PhantomOcean3, the new volume mixer in quick settings will begin rolling out on September 26. This feature aims to streamline audio controls, making it easier to adjust the volume of different apps and devices directly from the quick settings panel in the taskbar.
PhantomOcean3 also mentioned that the update, codenamed 22H2 Moment 4, would include other noteworthy features like taskbar ungrouping, the ability to end tasks via taskbar right-click, and even the option to hide the date and time in the taskbar.
Redefining User Control
The new volume mixer is designed to be more user-friendly and visually appealing than its predecessor. Now, you no longer have to navigate through additional windows just to tweak your audio settings. The feature was rolled out as an experimental option for members of the Windows Insider Program initially.
The enhanced audio quick settings experience aims to provide per-app audio customization. Additionally, a new keyboard shortcut (WIN + CTRL + V) will provide faster control over the volume mixer. The update also brings easy access to spatial sound technology, such as Dolby and DTS, directly from the Microsoft Store.
The Road Ahead
This feature update is expected to bring over 150 new features and improvements, it will be available as a preview for seekers in the Release Preview Channel on September 26. The full update is expected to roll out to the general public in the subsequent weeks.
