In a recent announcement, Microsoft revealed a range of updates aimed at delivering groundbreaking AI innovation across several of its platforms, such as Bing, Edge, SwiftKey, and Skype. Among the highly anticipated releases, the introduction of the Bing Widget stands out, set to arrive on both Android and iOS devices, outpacing Google Bard and leaving the tech giant in its wake.
The surge in demand for AI processing has gained significant momentum in recent months, raising concerns about its potential impact on the PC GPU market. However, Microsoft’s agility in embracing and integrating AI smarts has enabled it to take a leading position ahead of competitors like Google.
Starting this week, Microsoft promises a significantly enhanced Bing experience on desktop and mobile platforms. Users can expect an array of new features, including videos, Knowledge Cards, graphs, improved formatting, and social sharing capabilities, all within a user-friendly and intuitive chat widget.
The new Bing widget empowers users to access timely information at a glance, seamlessly interacting with Bing’s AI through typing or voice input. Additionally, users can effortlessly launch the full Bing app from the widget for a more comprehensive search experience.
One noteworthy feature is Bing’s ability to remember conversations across devices, providing convenience and continuity to users. Whether at home or on the go, Bing can recall previous interactions, allowing users to retrieve information and continue their search seamlessly between devices. For example, if a recipe query is made at home on a PC, Bing can remind the user of the ingredients shopping list or suggest substitutes if certain items are unavailable or out of season while they are out.
Another complementary addition to Microsoft’s portfolio is the integration of AI-powered textual composition within the popular SwiftKey soft-keyboard. Going beyond basic spell-checking, the new Compose functionality assists users with content creation, message tone, formatting, and length. Furthermore, Microsoft proudly announces the integration of its AI-powered translator into the SwiftKey keyboard, conveniently accessible through the Bing button, alongside Compose.
Edge Mobile browser users can also look forward to enhanced AI functionality. Bing AI will now provide contextual answers based on the web pages users visit. For instance, users can ask for a wine recommendation while viewing a recipe web page. Additionally, Bing can offer contextual information related to any highlighted text on a web page.
In an effort to further streamline communication and productivity, Microsoft has made Bing AI available in all group chats on Skype. Users can easily summon the assistant by tagging @Bing within discussions, benefiting from its assistance in planning, calendar management, and route advice.
Microsoft emphasizes that despite having introduced Bing AI only 100 days ago, significant progress has already been made. With the promise of equally exciting developments in the next 100 days, the company eagerly awaits the Build developer conference, where further significant announcements are anticipated.