Microsoft announced several new features for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Copilot, last week. The Redmond-based tech giant said that these features will enable the AI chatbot to deliver a more personalised experience to users. Some of the new features were previously available only on the web client, and are now being expanded to its mobile and Windows desktop apps. Among the new additions, Copilot is getting memory capability to remember certain details about the user, and an agentic feature that will allow it to complete tasks on the web.Copilot Is Getting New Personalisation-Focused AI FeaturesIn a blog post, Mustafa Suleyman, Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft AI, announced several new features which are currently being rolled out to Copilot globally. Apart from the abovementioned, these features include the expansion of Copilot Vision, and the addition of Podcasts, Shopping, and Deep Research capabilities.One of the key features being introduced is Memory. With this, the AI chatbot can remember certain details about the user, such as their favourite food, birthdays of loved ones, as well as their hobbies. The company says Copilot uses this information to build a more personalised experience and offer tailored suggestions and reminders. Users will have the option to control the information Copilot remembers, and they can also opt out entirely.Microsoft is also working on another personalisation feature that will allow users to give Copilot a custom appearance. While details about the customisability and the method of adding were not shared, Suleyman said users would be able to see this appearance while interacting with the chatbot.Copilot is also getting an agentic function. Dubbed Actions, this feature will let Copilot complete web-based tasks independently in the background. It can perform tasks such as booking tickets for an event, reserving a restaurant table, or sending a thoughtful gift to a friend. The AI agent is said to work with most websites, and Microsoft has partnered with several brands, including Booking.com, Expedia, Kayak, OpenTable, Tripadvisor, Skyscanner, and more.Microsoft is also expanding Copilot Vision to mobile and Windows desktop apps. It is an image-understanding feature, and it can use the device's camera to look at the surroundings and answer user queries. The feature can also analyse real-time video from the camera and photos stored in the phone's gallery. On the desktop, it can also read the screen and interact with the content. Vision will first be introduced for Windows Insider starting next week.Copilot Pages will also allow users to share their notes, content, and research with the chatbot, and it will organise, format, and simplify it for easier viewing. Users can also ask queries based on the information shared and add the revised information with a single tap.Similar to Google's NotebookLM (and now Gemini), Copilot is also getting a podcast creation feature. Dubbed Pocasts, it can create a personalised audio session of content based on the user's interests. Users can continue to chat with Copilot while listening to the podcast to gain a better understanding of the topic being discussed.Microsoft is also pitching the AI chatbot as a shopping assistant. It says that Copilot can now perform research, build comparisons, and offer advice when shopping for a specific product. It can also be used to get notifications about price drops and sales. Users will also be able to purchase products directly from the Copilot app.Finally, two more features are being rolled out Deep Research and Copilot Search. The former allows users to conduct multi-step research on a complex topic and prepare a comprehensive report, while the latter is available in Bing and offers a unified experience of traditional search and generative search. Copilot Search shows detailed responses in Bing with cited sources and website suggestions for deeper understanding. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Microsoft, Copilot, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Chatbot Akash Dutta Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More Related Stories

Dartmouths AI Therapy Breakthrough: Can a Bot Heal the Mind?Therabots clinical trial shows AI could revolutionize mental health care. Discover the science, ethics, and future of digital therapy.2 min readJust now--The Rise of AI in Mental Health: Dartmouths Therabot Trial ExplainedMental health care is undergoing a seismic shift and artificial intelligence is at the epicenter. Dartmouth College recently made headlines with the first clinical trial for an AI therapy bot named Therabot, designed to support individuals battling depression, anxiety, or eating disorder risks. Lets unpack what this means for the future of mental wellness. What is Therabot?Therabot is an AI-driven therapy assistant trained to mimic human-like empathy while delivering evidence-based interventions. Unlike traditional chatbots, it uses machine learning to adapt conversations based on user responses, offering personalized coping strategies and emotional validation. Trial Results: A Glimpse of HopeDartmouths study revealed promising outcomes:72% of participants reported reduced anxiety symptoms after 4 weeks.65% noted improved mood regulation.58% experienced fewer episodes of disordered eating thoughts.These results suggest AI could fill critical gaps in mental health access especially for underserved populations. Ethical Dilemmas and LimitationsWhile Therabots potential is undeniable, challenges remain:Human Touch vs. Algorithmic Precision: Can AI replicate the nuance of human empathy?Data Privacy: How securely are sensitive user interactions stored?Over-Reliance: Could bots discourage users from seeking human therapists when needed?Dartmouth researchers emphasize that Therabot is a supplement, not a replacement, for traditional therapy. The Future of Digital Mental HealthThis trial isnt just about one bot its a blueprint for AI-integrated care. Imagine a world where:24/7 Support: AI tools provide instant help during crises.Cost-Effective Care: Therapy becomes affordable for millions.Stigma Reduction: Anonymous bots encourage hesitant individuals to seek help.Yet, success hinges on balancing innovation with ethical guardrails. Critical Analysis: Is This the New Normal?Therabots trial marks a paradigm shift, but skepticism persists. Critics argue:AI lacks the contextual understanding of human therapists.Long-term efficacy remains unproven.Cultural biases in training data could skew interactions.Dartmouths next steps? Scaling trials and refining Therabots emotional intelligence.

We already find ourselves at an inflection point with AI. According to a recent study by McKinsey, weve reached the turning point where businesses must look beyond automation and towards AI-driven reinvention to stay ahead of the competition. While the era of AI-driven acceleration isnt over, a new phase has already begun one that goes beyond making existing workflows more efficient and moves toward replacing existing workflows and/or creating new ones.This is the age of Agentic AI.Truly autonomous AI agents are capable of reshaping operations entirely. Systems can act autonomously, make decisions, and adapt dynamically. These agents will go beyond conversational interfaces, responding to user input and proactively managing tasks, navigating complex IT environments, and orchestrating business processes.However, this shift isnt just about technology it also comes with a few considerations. Companies will need to address regulatory challenges, build AI literacy, and focus on applied use cases with clear ROI if the evolution is to succeed.Moving from acceleration to transformationSo far, companies have primarily used AI to accelerate existing processes, whether through chatbots improving customer interactions or AI-driven analytics optimising workflows. In the end, these implementations make businesses more efficient.But acceleration alone is no longer enough to stay ahead in the game. The real opportunity lies in replacing outdated workflows entirely and creating new, previously impossible capabilities.For example, AI plays a vital role in automating troubleshooting and enhancing security within the network industry. But what if AI could autonomously anticipate and predict failures, reconfigure networks proactively to avoid service level degradations in real time, and optimise performance without human intervention? As AI becomes more autonomous, its ability to not just assist but act independently will be key to unlocking new levels of productivity and innovation.Thats what Agentic AI is about.Navigating the AI regulatory landscapeHowever, as AI becomes more autonomous, the regulatory landscape governing its deployment will evolve in parallel. The introduction of the EU AI Act, alongside global regulatory frameworks, means companies must already navigate new compliance requirements related to AI transparency, bias mitigation, and ethical deployment.That means AI governance can no longer be an afterthought.AI-powered systems must be designed with built-in compliance mechanisms, data privacy protections, and explainability features to build trust among users and regulators alike. Zero-trust security models will also be crucial in mitigating risks, enforcing strict access controls, and ensuring that AI decisions remain auditable and secure.The importance of AI literacyAs stated, the success of Agentic AIs era will depend on more than just technical capabilities it will require alignment between leadership, developers, and end-users. As AI becomes more advanced, AI literacy becomes a key differentiator, and companies must invest in upskilling their workforce to understand AIs capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations. A recent report by the ICT Workforce Consortium found that 92% of information and communication technology jobs are expected to undergo significant transformation due to advancements in AI. So, without proper AI education, businesses risk misalignment between AI implementers and those who use the technology.This can lead to a lack of trust, slow adoption, and ineffective deployment, which can impact the bottom line. So, to unlock the full potential of Agentic AI, its essential to build AI literacy across all levels of the organisation.As this new era of AI blooms, companies must learn from the current era of AI adoption: focus on applied use cases with tangible ROI. The days of experimenting with AI for innovations sake are ending the next generation of AI deployments must prove their worth.In networking, it could be projects such as AI-powered autonomous network optimisation. These systems do more than automate tasks; they continuously monitor network traffic, predict congestion points, and autonomously adjust configurations to ensure optimal performance. By providing proactive insights and real-time adjustments, these AI-driven solutions help companies prevent issues and outages before they occur.This level of AI autonomy reduces human intervention and enhances overall security and operational efficiency.Identifying and implementing high-value, high-impact Agentic AI use cases such as these will be vital.Trust as the adoption hurdleWhile were entering a new era, trust plays a key role in widespread AI adoption. Users must feel confident that AI decisions are accurate, fair, and explainable. Even the most advanced AI models will face challenges gaining acceptance without transparency.This is particularly relevant as AI transitions from assisting users to making autonomous decisions. Whether AI agents manage IT infrastructure or drive customer interactions, organisations must ensure that AI decisions are auditable, unbiased, and aligned with business objectives.Without transparency and accountability, companies may face resistance from both employees and customers.The future of AILooking ahead, 2025 holds exciting potential for AI. As it reaches a new level of maturity, its success will depend on how well organisations, governments, and individuals adapt to its growing presence in everyday life. Moving beyond efficiency and automation, AI has the opportunity to become a powerful driver of intelligent decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation.Organisations that harness Agentic AI effectively balancing autonomy with oversight will see the greatest benefits. However, success will require a commitment to transparency, education, and ethical deployment to build trust and ensure AI is a true enabler of progress.Because AI is no longer just an accelerant, it is a transformative force reshaping how we work, communicate, and interact with technology.Photo by Ryan De Hamer on UnsplashWant to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders?Check outAI & Big Data Expotaking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events includingIntelligent Automation Conference,BlockX,Digital Transformation Week, andCyber Security & Cloud Expo.Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForgehere.

While much of the world focused on the Nintendo Switch 2, Bandai Namcos Tekken 8 has been on fire. The acclaimed fighting game saw the launch of Season 2, which received massive backlash. On Steam alone, its recent reviews sit at Overwhelmingly Negative with only 11 percent of its 3,909 user reviews getting the thumbs-up.The development team has responded to the criticism on Twitter and confirmed an emergency patch, 2.00.02, to address two unintended issues that resulted in unblockable attacks for Paul and Jack-8. It will go live in mid to late April alongside a change that removes chip damage on throw breaks.Meanwhile, the team works on identifying and fixing the causes of other behavior-related character issues and a malfunction in the OPTIONS settings. Following the next patch, the developer will continue to carefully review and respond to feedback from the community.The reasoning behind the backlash is the significant adjustments to all fighters, buffing them all around and creating more 50-50 scenarios. Players have also expressed displeasure at the lack of defensive options (promised before Season 2s release) and a fundamental disconnect with the community.Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming patchs release date and contents in the coming days. Tekken 8 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

xmasstepsMemberOct 30, 20171,265So I've been replaying Uncharted 4 on PS5 (which looks just incredible) and have been really aware that they originally wanted to make the climbing more complex before scrapping it.There are many places in the game that I think show this. The most obvious is the very late addition of the piton (which I think you get at least two thirds into the game).Climbing sections also frequently have multiple routes you can take, as opposed to a linear path that you'd find in previous games. It feels like the upgraded climbing system would have allowed you to choose between a more difficult but faster route, and an easier but longer one. Personally, I'd have loved to see this come to fruition, because one of the issues with the climbing is that the characters treat it as a massively dangerous thing (which makes sense) but in mechanical terms, there are very few stakes. I'm imagining something a bit closer to Jusant, where you could strategically place pitons and use them to regain stamina. Uncharted is, of course, supposed to be more of a rollicking adventure than Jusant, but I think they could have included something to make climbing as exciting as the combat. I'm interested in hearing about other games that have this kind of cut design that hasn't been fully removed. I suspect that this kind of thing is pretty common! Altima VIIMemberMar 2, 202594Err, does the entire back section of Dark Souls count?LewiePMemberOct 26, 201719,546Revengenace has the water melon cutting that I think was a nod to the previously shown incarnation of the game from before Platinum took over- YouTubeEnjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.youtu.be- YouTubeEnjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.youtu.beEdit: This was not an intentional pun lol.CypherSignalMemberOct 25, 20171,191Alan Wake lets you drive a truck for about 45 seconds in the final game, which, to me, is the funniest and clearest example of this sort of thing that I can think of.blueredandgoldMemberOct 25, 20178,234Bioshock Infinite once had the player time travel from memory.I feel oddly self-conscious how much I must seem to refer back to that game.Banjo Kazooie and its damn keys.JawmuncherCrisis DinoModeratorOct 25, 201744,027Ibis IslandDevil May Cry 1 has a lot of this. If you play it with the knowledge of "This started out as a Resident Evil game", it sticks out.Especially in places like the castle and it's more "horror" tone.BassForeverOne Winged SlayerMemberOct 25, 201731,457CTblueredandgold said:Banjo Kazooie and its damn keys.Click to expand...Click to shrink...Umm actually it was eggs, there was only one keyTales of Vesperia has Flynn playable for a single fight along with some teases for Patty, both who were fully added in the enhanced version.

Multiple Nintendo Switch game prototypes have leaked online, including prototypes of an unreleased Ridge Racer game and a canceled RPG that was in the works by Metroid Prime series' developer Retro Studios.According to multiple online reports, the prototypes leaked online after they were found in a devkit, and include old Splatoon 2 debug builds, the Nintendo Switch version of RiME, an unreleased Lego Civilization game, an ARMS debug build and prototypes of a new entry in the Ridge Racer series and of Retro Studios' canceled Project Harmony music RPG which was reportedly in development after the studio released Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze and Metroid Prime Remastered. Footage of the latter two games was also shared online and can be found here for Project Harmony and below for the Ridge Racer prototype.Given Bandai Namco's strong relationship with Nintendo, it is not surprising to see that the collaboration between the two companies was leading to the return of the Ridge Racer series on Nintendo Switch. While the game has been canceled, the collaboration between the two companies still continues to this day, as Bandai Namco is working with Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai on Kirby Air Riders, which is launching this year on Nintendo Switch 2. A collaboration that is hardly surprising, considering Sakurai-san teamed up with Bandai Namco for the development of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS and Ultimate.Deal of the Day

Borderlands 3 isn't the most beloved entry in the franchise, and there are plenty of reasons why. One of the installment's biggest pitfalls was its antagonists, the Calypso Twins, who were seen by many to be characters trying too hard to be Handsome Jack in their charisma, humor, and needless violence, with cringey dialogue and shallow character arcs to boot. They weren't the only thing that ultimately sank Borderlands 3, however, with another character, in particular, taking home the prize as one of its most controversial characters: Ava. Now, assuming Ava returns in Borderlands 4 (and she is expected to), the upcoming sequel will need to go to the ends of the earth to redeem her character arc.

Summary:In this article I first talk about how broken the metagame design of existing and old games are, highlighting the flaws of traditional designs that seem to have become normalized to the point where no one is noticing or questioning if they were a good idea to begin with.Afterwards, I explain how to set up an infinite metagame via procedural campaign generation where anything that could be a parameter within the campaign - be it difficulty, pacing, length, starting cond

How a simple safety device became a source of urban stressContinue reading on UX Collective

The iPhones lock screen isnt just the place you check the time or your notifications anymore its a fully customizable space where you can express your personality, highlight your favorite photos and even stay on top of your day with helpful widgets. With iOS 18, Apple has given users even more control, letting you personalize your home screen and adjust lock screen controls..Whether you want something functional, minimal, photo-heavy or playful, well walk you through exactly how to make your lock screen your own from changing fonts and adding widgets to switching between screens throughout the day.How to create a custom lock screenTo start personalizing, youll first need to create a new lock screen or modify an existing one.Wake your iPhone, then touch and hold anywhere on the lock screen until you feel a buzz and see the wallpaper editor.Youll see a carousel of lock screens youve created. Tap the + (Add New) button to start fresh, or swipe to an existing one and tap Customize.A gallery of wallpaper options will appear. Choose from:Photos (pick one from your library)People (iOS intelligently finds portraits)Photo Shuffle (select multiple images that change)Emoji, Weather, or AstronomySuggested themes like color gradients or Live PhotosOnce youve picked your background, you can dive into the fun part: customizing fonts, colors, widgets and more.Georgie Peru for EngadgetPhotos and PeopleYou can set a favorite picture as your wallpaper and tweak its color or crop to make sure you have the best view of your loved ones. Note that these steps will only allow you to select one picture if you want a rotating selection of backgrounds, skip to the Photo Shuffle section below.Tap Photos to bring up a list of Photos and Collections. You can search for specific images, or filter by All, Featured, Live Photo, People, Pets, Nature and Cities.Once youve selected a photo, you then have more options. You can Pinch to Crop the image, change and customize the filters (Natural, Black & White, Duotone and Color Wash)You also have the option to Add Widgets and remove the Flashlight and/or Camera.You can also set a photo as your wallpaper directly from the Photos app by tapping the Share icon, and then selecting Use as Wallpaper.Photo ShuffleWith Photo Shuffle, you can select multiple photos that change depending on the frequency youve selected.Select the types of photos you want to include, e.g. People, Pets, Nature and Cities, or select an Album.Tap the Shuffle Frequency option and choose between On Tap, On Lock, Hourly or Daily.Select whether you want to Use Featured Photos or Select Photos Manually.It would be worth going through your selected photos separately to make sure they are cropped correctly (e.g. if you have a mix of landscape and portrait images).You also have the option to Add Widgets and remove the Flashlight and/or Camera.Emoji and ColorIf you dont want to use a photo, you can select an emoji or color instead.Select Emoji and choose up to six emojis. Alternatively, if you want a single color, you can select the Color option.Choose between Dynamic, Grid, Large, Radial and Spiral to customize how the emoji background will appear.Once youve selected an emoji or multiple, you can change the color of the background.You also have the option to Add Widgets and remove the Flashlight and/or Camera.How to change the clock styleThe default iPhone clock gets the job done, but it doesnt have to be boring. In iOS, you can customize the font, weight and color of the clock to match your aesthetic. This small change can have a big impact on your lock screens overall vibe.In the lock screen editor, tap the time. You can do this before or after youve personalized your lock screen with photos, weather, etc.Choose from a selection of font styles. Drag the slider to increase the font weight and tap the available fonts to see what they look like.Use the color picker or swipe through presets to find something that fits.How to add widgets to your lock screenWidgets are a game changer for lock screen productivity. Whether you want to see your calendar, the weather forecast, activity rings or even battery levels at a glance, widgets can make your lock screen both pretty and practical. Widgets are compact, but you can fit up to four small ones or a mix of two medium and one small on a single lock screen, depending on the layout.While editing the lock screen, tap the field below the time or select Add Widgets if the option appears (sometimes it can be tricky to see).Choose from Apples widget library or supported third-party apps.Drag and drop widgets into the space where youd like them to live.You can also tap the date above the time to change or remove the default calendar widget.Georgie Peru for EngadgetHow to customize controls at the bottom of the lock screenIn iOS 18, Apple lets you personalize the quick access buttons at the bottom of the lock screen the ones typically reserved for the flashlight and camera. You can set different controls for different lock screens and tie them to specific Focus modes as well.Touch and hold the lock screen, then tap Customize.Tap one of the bottom controls to select it.Tap the Remove icon (-), then tap the Add (+) option to open the controls gallery.Youll see a gallery of available buttons for tools like Calculator, Translate, Shazam, Notes and more.Pick the one you want, then tap Done.How to link a Focus mode to your lock screenOne of the smartest features in iOS is the ability to link different lock screens to Focus modes. That means you can have a minimalist screen for work, a bright one for weekends and a sleep-ready design for winding down. If you dont see Focus options when you edit your lock screen, go to Settings then Focus to set up a new one first.Touch and hold the lock screen, then tap Focus.Choose a Focus mode (e.g., Work, Sleep, Do Not Disturb).That lock screen will now automatically appear when that Focus is active.How to switch between lock screensOnce youve created a few lock screens, you can swap between them on the fly. If youve linked a Focus to any of them, switching lock screens will also switch the Focus automatically.Touch and hold the lock screen.Swipe left or right to cycle through your saved designs.Tap the one you want to use.How to delete a lock screenIf you want to delete a lock screen you no longer want or need, you can do so very easily.Touch and hold the lock screen until the carousel appears.Swipe to the screen you want to delete.Swipe up on the lock screen.Tap the Trash icon, then confirm with Delete This Wallpaper.Dont worry this wont delete any photos from your library. It just removes the layout.If youre looking for more iPhone customization tips, you might also enjoy our guide on how to make the most of the iPhones Action Button.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-personalize-your-iphone-lock-screen-120015173.html?src=rss