{"id":29904,"date":"2025-03-06T09:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T14:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/?p=29904"},"modified":"2025-03-06T09:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T14:05:11","slug":"new-copilot-fully-integrated-into-windows-11-gm-sued-for-selling-driver-data-microsoft-to-shut-down-skype-what-about-excel-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/new-copilot-fully-integrated-into-windows-11-gm-sued-for-selling-driver-data-microsoft-to-shut-down-skype-what-about-excel-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"New Copilot Fully Integrated Into Windows 11; GM Sued for Selling Driver Data; Microsoft to Shut Down Skype, What About Excel?&#8230; and more!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;\"><strong>New Copilot Fully Integrated Into Windows 11; GM Sued for Selling Driver Data; Microsoft to Shut Down Skype, What About Excel?<\/strong><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">&#8230; and more!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Every day, we scan the tech world for interesting news, sometimes from outside the tech world. Every Thursday, we feature news articles that grabbed our attention over the past week. We hope you find this week&#8217;s &#8216;Thursday Newsbytes&#8217; informative and interesting!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/2627771\/microsoft-revamps-the-copilot-app-for-windows-11-makes-it-truly-native.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Microsoft revamps the Copilot app for Windows 11, makes it truly native<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">With this redesign of Copilot, the AI app no longer relies on web components. It&#8217;s fully native to the Windows 11 operating system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Microsoft has once again made changes to Copilot, with the new version now being delivered to Windows 11 Insiders. The redesign is meant to rethink the experience from the ground up, and that means Copilot is now a native app that\u2019s directly integrated into the operating system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">According to Windows Latest, initial testers say the new Copilot Windows 11 app works even better than the ChatGPT desktop app. This is mainly due to the fact that Copilot works and responds with almost no delays and requires much less memory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">What is the new Copilot app?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Microsoft has redeveloped the Copilot app from scratch, utilizing Windows technologies like XAML and WinUI. The app is integrated directly into Windows 11, making it even easier to use. (Previously, it was hidden in the sidebar or could only be used as a web app.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">With native integration, Copilot now has its own controls, a taskbar icon, and a picture-in-picture mode. The Copilot app can also generate answers much faster while only using 50 to 100 MB of RAM on average.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">With the new sidebar, you can quickly start a new conversation with the AI chatbot and immediately get answers from the app.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Better integration with Windows 11.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Thanks to native Windows 11 integration&#8230;.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/2627771\/microsoft-revamps-the-copilot-app-for-windows-11-makes-it-truly-native.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Read more at PC World.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/news\/gm-sued-for-selling-driver-data-to-insurers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">GM sued for selling driver data to insurers<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">In a new lawsuit, the Arkansas Attorney General alleges deceptive practices by GM and OnStar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">General Motors is facing yet another legal battle over its data collection practices. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has sued GM and its subsidiary OnStar, alleging the automaker illegally sold driver data to third parties, who then provided it to insurers. The lawsuit accuses GM of deceiving consumers and profiting at their expense by allowing insurers to use this data to raise premiums or deny coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>A pattern of data selling<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">The lawsuit, filed in late February, claims GM has been selling driver data since 2015 through connected vehicle systems like myChevrolet, myCadillac, myGMC, and myBuick. Unlike traditional insurance telematics programs that require users to opt in by installing a device, GM allegedly collected this data without explicit consent&#8230;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoblog.com\/news\/gm-sued-for-selling-driver-data-to-insurers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Read More at Autoblog.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/news\/technology\/what-s-to-stop-microsoft-from-shutting-down-excel\/ar-AA1A9lkm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">What\u2019s to Stop Microsoft From Shutting Down Excel?<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Microsoft\u2019s decision to shut down Skype marks the end of a service that once revolutionized digital communication. Purchased for $8.5 billion, Skype was the gold standard for video calls before being overtaken by Zoom, FaceTime, and WhatsApp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Now, Microsoft is pulling the plug, citing a shift in consumer habits and the dominance of Microsoft Teams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">For longtime Skype users, the move is more than a minor inconvenience\u2014it\u2019s a stark reminder that even the most widely recognized tech services can disappear overnight. If Microsoft can discard Skype after years of brand recognition and global adoption, what\u2019s to stop it from eventually doing the same to Excel&#8230;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/news\/technology\/what-s-to-stop-microsoft-from-shutting-down-excel\/ar-AA1A9lkm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Read more at MSN.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/computing\/artificial-intelligence\/google-previews-ai-mode-for-search-taking-on-the-likes-of-chatgpt-search-and-perplexity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Google previews AI Mode for search, taking on the likes of ChatGPT search and Perplexity<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Google is doubling down on bring AI to Search with an expansion to its AI Overviews and new experimental AI Mode. In Google&#8217;s ideal world, you would basically never leave the search engine and it would handle a lot of that pesky thinking on your behalf. On the other hand, there would be fewer open tabs giving you anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>Overviewing AI<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">AI Overviews have already become a familiar sight for many users, appearing at the top of search results with neatly summarized answers to big questions. Now, with Gemini 2.0 behind the wheel, Google claims these overviews will be faster, more detailed, and capable of handling trickier queries in areas like coding, advanced math, and multimodal reasoning. In other words, if you were relying on Reddit and Stack Overflow to explain why your Python script keeps throwing an error, Google wants you to ask it instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Google claims there are a lot of fans who want to see AI even more embedded in their online searches. That&#8217;s what led to the creation of AI Mode. Currently in an experimental mode in Labs. AI Mode aims to bring better reasoning and more immediate analysis to your online time. AI Mode won\u2019t just spit out a quick answer to your query. It will actively break down complex topics, compare multiple options, and pull from online sources to provide more nuanced responses. AI Mode should help prevent you from going from a simple search for a new toothpaste to spending 30 minutes on Wikipedia learning about the history of medieval dentistry&#8230;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/computing\/artificial-intelligence\/google-previews-ai-mode-for-search-taking-on-the-likes-of-chatgpt-search-and-perplexity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Read more at TechRadar<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/2627769\/microsoft-tries-another-ugly-trick-to-attract-users-this-time-for-copilot.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Microsoft tries another ugly trick to attract users, this time for Copilot<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">It appears Microsoft is once again playing dirty tricks to attract users to their own services. Earlier this year, they tried disguising Bing as Google to trick searchers, and now Neowin reports that they\u2019re running a similar ploy for its Copilot AI chatbot assistant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">According to Neowin, if you search for an AI chatbot in the Bing search engine \u2014 including popular alternatives like ChatGPT and Gemini \u2014 you\u2019ll see a special box with Microsoft\u2019s own Copilot AI above the search results you\u2019re expecting. If you actually submit a message in the box, then Copilot fully opens in a new tab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">If you search for AI chatbots in Bing, you might see this desperate attempt to get you using Copilot instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">We gave it a try and were able to replicate it. Typing \u201cchatgpt\u201d into Bing gave us a special Copilot element in the search results, labeled as \u201cYour AI companion\u201d with a field to \u201cMessage Copilot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">It\u2019s possible that Microsoft is only running this trick in certain regions&#8230;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/2627769\/microsoft-tries-another-ugly-trick-to-attract-users-this-time-for-copilot.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Read more at PC World.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Thanks for reading this week&#8217;s Thursday Newbytes. We hope these articles were informative, interesting, fun, and helpful.<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/donation.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2017\/goodfight2017.png\" alt=\"Help us help you!\" width=\"573\" height=\"136\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; New Copilot Fully Integrated Into Windows 11; GM Sued for Selling Driver Data; Microsoft to Shut Down Skype, What About Excel?&#8230; and more! Every day, we scan the tech world for interesting news, sometimes from outside the tech world. Every Thursday, we feature news articles that grabbed our attention over the past week. We hope you find\u2026 <span class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/new-copilot-fully-integrated-into-windows-11-gm-sued-for-selling-driver-data-microsoft-to-shut-down-skype-what-about-excel-and-more\/\">Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4421,4484,2247,2509,2641,1670,1654,1674,4523,4221,4477],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29904"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29904"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29905,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29904\/revisions\/29905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}