Microsoft is experimenting with a new method to make Copilot indispensable.

      Microsoft is once again making efforts to encourage users to utilize Copilot by testing a feature that automatically opens the Copilot pane in Edge, as noticed by @Leopeva64 (via MSPowerUser). The Copilot pane minimizes when changing tabs or accessing favorites, demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to integrating AI into Edge. Additionally, the tech giant is rolling out a new "share" button for Copilot to allow users to send AI chat links, along with a machine-learning-powered autofill option for Android users.

      Currently, Microsoft is trialing the auto-open capability for Copilot in Edge Canary's new tabs, although users have the option to disable it in settings. Earlier this month, the feature was not fully operational. Presently, hovering over the Copilot button produces no action, requiring a click to activate it.

      Microsoft's push for users to engage with Copilot remains strong. According to an update, v.1.25014.121.0, it has been revealed that Copilot will launch automatically upon starting your PC, as noted by @phantomofearth on X earlier this month. However, since this feature is still under testing, it may change before it becomes available in the stable release. Nevertheless, users can explore various features while using Copilot, including Copilot Vision, which observes online activity to provide answers to queries.

      In what appears to be a strategy to promote Copilot usage, Microsoft has also eliminated Smart Lookup in Word, a tool that offered definitions, synonyms, and related links. We will need to wait and see what the final version of the Edge browser will deliver.

      Judy Sanhz is a writer for Digital Trends, covering all computing-related news and expressing a fondness for all operating systems and devices.

      Concerning the recent RTX 5080 leak that has sparked concerns: Nvidia's RTX 5080 packaging was leaked just hours ahead of the announced RTX 50-series during CES 2025. The packaging validates some previous leaks, which is positive news — however, the early retail listings, seen by VideoCardz, raise concerns about potentially high pricing for one of Nvidia's premier graphics cards.

      The initial leak originated from wxnod on X (Twitter), showcasing several boxes of the RTX 5080 stacked together. These are custom designs from Gainward, rather than Nvidia's own Founders Edition. Regrettably, essential specifications are usually found on the back of the box, which is not visible in this image. However, the box does confirm that the RTX 5080 is equipped with 16GB of GDDR7 memory.

      In another development, I explored Google’s latest AI tool, Whisk, which facilitates more automated image generation. Whisk is based on Google's Imagen 3 model and enables users to create images not just through text prompts but using other images as a foundation.

      Whisk is currently in an experimental stage, but it's user-friendly once configured. Google described Whisk in a blog post as designed for “rapid visual exploration, not pixel-perfect edits.”

      Furthermore, recent tests highlight ongoing security issues with Microsoft Recall. The company is currently previewing the latest version of Recall for Windows Insiders on Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD-based Copilot+ PCs, with security being a priority for users. Although an update to the security and privacy framework was implemented in September, tests conducted by Tom's Hardware indicate that the improvements may still not suffice.

      The revised version of Recall includes a sensitive information filter designed to recognize information such as credit card numbers and Social Security numbers on the screen. It is supposed to prevent screenshots when such information is detected. However, tests by Tom's Hardware revealed that this filter failed in several instances.