As a tech enthusiast who has been closely following the developments in the AI-powered PC space, I must say that this situation feels like watching a rollercoaster ride with unexpected twists and turns.
Back in May, when Microsoft introduced Copilot+ PCs for the first time, I felt quite enthusiastic. The company claimed these latest devices would serve as a formidable rival to Macs, which have dominated Windows ultrabooks since Apple Silicon’s launch in 2020. Apple had taken the lead, but that advantage wouldn’t last long as Microsoft and its partners were now prepared to take on the competition directly.
It appears that Microsoft and its partners weren’t hoping for how the launch turned out, as the unveiling was almost instantly overshadowed by the AI feature, Windows Recall, in the Copilot+ PCs. However, trouble arose when it was found that this feature was alarmingly insecure. In a rush, Microsoft had to promptly remove Recall from the Copilot+ PCs at the last possible moment.
The journey since then has been challenging, and it’s evident that neither Microsoft nor its partners are content with the current state of affairs. The delay in the release of Windows Recall has left this latest generation of PCs lacking a unique selling point, and even now, we’re yet to see Copilot+ PCs equipped with features commensurate with their name. Recently, Apple’s foray into AI, Apple Intelligence, has been launched on Mac, giving them an edge in the AI race before Windows could respond.
Microsoft made a concerted effort to lead the way, but in the end, stumbled at the final hurdle, disappointing many in the process. Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and other tech giants may not be pleased with how events have unfolded, as they are left wondering why certain PCs carry the Copilot+ label, while Apple stealthily surpasses everyone else with superior silicon and AI innovations.
Qualcomm’s exclusivity window?
It’s uncertain if a formal agreement existed, but it seems Qualcomm was granted an exclusive period to showcase Copilot+ PC features at launch. They were the sole silicon partner given stage time during the launch event, and the Snapdragon X chip was the exclusive power source for the initial Copilot+ PC hardware.
Yet, when the release of Windows Recall got postponed, the standout AI feature of Copilot+ PCs became unavailable, leaving the initial batch of hardware lacking a notable selling point. These initial devices were marketed primarily on the basis of improved performance and efficiency compared to previous PC processors, but Intel and AMD soon matched these advancements.
It’s important to clarify that while Copilot+ PCs did come with some AI features, they weren’t particularly impressive at launch. The initial lineup of next-generation AI experiences was quite limited, featuring on-device image generation in Photos and Paint apps, a few new filters in Windows Studio Effects, and live audio translation. These offerings have not exactly ignited the global community, as I mentioned in my first Copilot+ PC review that the features were underwhelming.
Intel and AMD have started delivering Copilot+ compatible processors in August, approximately a month following the release of Snapdragon X chips. Yet surprisingly, Microsoft hasn’t allowed Intel and AMD users to experience any Copilot+ functionalities. Features such as Windows Studio Effects or Co-creator in Paint, even though less exciting, are still exclusive to Snapdragon PCs. This is the case despite the fact that computers equipped with compatible hardware (Intel and AMD chips) can be bought today.
It’s indisputable that every architecture within Microsoft has access to all the Copilot+’s features.
I’ve been annoyed as I’m typing this on a Copilot+ PC lacking Copilot+ functions because Microsoft hasn’t made them available for Intel and AMD systems. Surprisingly, I’m using an AMD Ryzen AI 9 370 processor with an NPU capable of delivering 50 TOPS, which is 10 TOPS more than the Snapdragon X Elite, but unfortunately, I can’t access any Copilot+ functionalities at the moment.
Based on my understanding, it seems like Qualcomm might be practicing some sort of exclusivity regarding the Copilot+ features, as Microsoft has confirmed that these features are accessible across all architectures internally. However, the company has chosen not to distribute the necessary components. This was reasonable when Snapdragon X was the sole chip capable of supporting these features; but now, other chips on the market can handle them too, making Qualcomm’s exclusivity questionable.
It’s likely that Intel and AMD felt annoyed as they swiftly released chips compatible with Microsoft’s Copilot+, but Microsoft was still promoting the exclusivity of Recall to Snapdragon X laptops a month ago, with other devices needing to wait until November for access.
It seems that the preview for Windows Recall has been pushed back once more, meaning we might not see it until late November or December at the earliest. This potential delay could imply that Intel and AMD Copilot+ PC users may have to wait until 2025 before they can experience the cutting-edge next-gen AI features designed to showcase these Copilot systems. Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer yet as Microsoft has not provided any additional information on the matter.
Intel and AMD announced that they will start releasing Copilot+ features in November, but we’ll have to keep an eye out to see if Microsoft follows through with this timeline. However, it’s accurate to say that anyone who has been following the Copilot+ development on an Intel or AMD computer hasn’t had a great experience up until now.
Windows Recall debacle and delays
It appears that the main issue with the recent launch is centered around Windows Recall, which faced immediate criticism from many quarters, some of which I find excessive initially. Microsoft assured everyone that the feature was secure; however, it wasn’t long before it became clear that this wasn’t accurate.
Turns out, the Recall service was storing all the data it collects in an unencrypted state, in a local directory that wasn’t difficult to break into. This snowballed into a major PR disaster, not helped by Microsoft going radio silent on the matter as soon as the issues were discovered.
Initially, Microsoft announced they would tackle these issues prior to the release of Copilot+ PCs on June 18. But a week before that date, Microsoft decided to remove Windows Recall from Copilot+ PCs completely, stating that it would take more time than anticipated to resolve these problems.
The decision to prevent Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from shipping review units until the launch date created a delay in evaluating the initial batch of Copilot+ PC hardware. Consequently, tech reviewers couldn’t start assessing the new Snapdragon X chips and laptops featuring them before June 18. This timing restriction on review units was set by Microsoft.
It’s understandable that Qualcomm and OEMs weren’t thrilled about this situation. Instead of a grand reveal at the embargo time, reviews would gradually emerge over several weeks. This change, however, made it uncertain if the Snapdragon X was meeting expectations because some laptops with the same chip performed better than others.
The issue with Windows Recall significantly impacted the credibility of Copilot+ PCs. Many people expressed their reluctance to purchase a Copilot+ PC due to the Windows Recall, as it had eroded trust between users and Microsoft. Initially, Recall was set up in a way that users couldn’t opt-out during the initial setup process. This decision led to criticism, prompting Microsoft to modify this approach.
After a delay in the launch of Recall, Microsoft remained quiet about the feature until September. At that point, they resumed discussing it and explained the enhancements made to bolster Recall’s security. It appeared as though Microsoft was ready to release Recall, and with pride, they announced that the initial public preview would become active in October.
In October, Microsoft remained silent and didn’t reveal any new information or releases. It wasn’t until Halloween (October 31) that Microsoft announced an update stating that Recall was not yet ready and a preview wouldn’t be available until December. This feels like Microsoft may have been aiming to launch Recall in October to stay ahead of Apple Intelligence, but then realized that the product required more development time before it was ready.
Essentially, there’s no tangible evidence yet of AI experiences from Copilot and personal computers. On the other hand, Apple’s artificial intelligence, referred to as Apple Intelligence, has started its rollout, making a headstart over Microsoft in this domain.
The Mac oversteps Copilot+ PCs
This week, Apple unveiled its latest Mac models equipped with M4 chips, which are quite impressive. At long last, they’ve matched the standard 16GB RAM and 256GB storage found in Copilot+ PCs. Furthermore, these new Macs represent a significant leap forward in terms of performance and efficiency, once again positioning Apple at the forefront of the competition.
It was anticipated that Apple would take the lead again, but it’s still unexpected that Apple Intelligence is launching before any significant AI features from Copilot+ PCs. What has taken me by surprise is the rapid succession of events: Apple announced Apple Intelligence, unveiled new hardware for it, and released initial features on this new hardware, all within a short span after Microsoft announced Copilot+ PCs. In contrast, Copilot+ PCs are yet to debut their major AI capabilities.
It’s intriguing that Microsoft has unveiled another round of AI capabilities for Copilot+ PCs, comprising a novel AI overlay named “Click To Do” (not an ideal name) and AI-enhanced Windows Search. While these features show promise, they haven’t been rolled out yet. Historically, Microsoft has been known for announcing innovative features before their competitors but often releases them later on.
Since Recall won’t release its preview update for another month, it seems unlikely that Microsoft’s major AI features for Copilot+ PCs will leave the Insider testing program and be available to the public before 2025. The delay in these features means that the anticipated next-generation AI experiences on a desktop OS through Copilot+ won’t materialize until next year, making 2024 no longer the year of the AI PC as initially expected.
Lessons to be learned
It appears that the launch of Copilot+ PCs has provided valuable lessons for all parties involved. For instance, Microsoft understands now the importance of not developing privacy-related features in secret before public testing takes place. On the other hand, Qualcomm and OEMs have discovered the risks of trusting Microsoft to deliver promised features on schedule. Lastly, Intel and AMD have realized that Microsoft might overlook them if a superior alternative emerges.
To put it simply, the debut of Copilot+ PCs hasn’t gone as smoothly as expected, and I wouldn’t mince words – it’s been a rocky experience for all parties involved. Yet, there are glimmers of optimism. In terms of performance and efficiency, Copilot+ PCs have certainly delivered. This year, we’ve seen Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD answer Apple Silicon with their latest chips, and they’re quite impressive indeed.
With Apple Silicon once again taking the lead, this advantage won’t last long as PC chip manufacturers plan to introduce their next-generation chips by 2025. This pattern of innovation and advancement continues, and it’s clear that healthy competition is a key factor in driving progress.
On the Windows platform, Microsoft is developing exceptional AI experiences, however, they’re encountering challenges in delivering these innovations promptly. Innovations such as Recall, Click To Do, and AI-enhanced Search are promising features that will set Copilot+ PCs apart, but their release is taking longer than initially anticipated.
2024 PC buyers with Copilot+, regardless of whether they opted for Qualcomm, Intel, or AMD processors, can look forward to an exceptional experience in 2025.
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2024-11-01 20:39