Notepad will soon use AI to automatically summarize your notes.

      Microsoft Notepad, a well-known feature of Windows, may appear to be the simplest of software. You type, and the characters show up as plain text with no additional features—no formatting or hyperlinks. However, this is about to change. Microsoft has started testing an AI capability in Notepad that summarizes sections of your text documents.

      This new capability is included in Notepad version 11.2501.29.0, which is currently being deployed to Windows Insiders—those who have joined Microsoft's early access program. The process is straightforward: highlight a section of text, right-click, and choose Summarize. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + M. This will generate an AI-crafted summary of the highlighted text, allowing you to adjust the summary’s length according to your preferences.

      If you prefer not to use this feature, it can be disabled in the app settings. Additionally, similar to other Windows 11 AI functions, you must be logged in with your Microsoft personal account to access the summary generator.

      This feature is an extension of the Rewrite function introduced for Notepad last year, which allows users to modify a sentence or piece of text in terms of length, tone, or format. With both Summarize and Rewrite, users can easily adapt the text files they've created to meet their needs, adjusting the depth and style of their writing.

      Along with Summarize, this Notepad update also adds a Recent Files option in the File menu, facilitating quicker access to recently used or closed documents so you can resume writing where you left off. As with Summarize, users who do not want a list of recently viewed files can disable this feature in the app settings.

      Georgina has been a space writer at Digital Trends for six years, focusing on human space exploration and planetary topics.

      In other news, Google has unveiled a new experimental AI feature called "Ask for Me," available to select users. This AI agent can search for pricing and appointment availability for local businesses and can automatically book appointments on your behalf, although it currently only supports nail salons and auto repair shops.

      Accessible via Google Search Labs, Ask for Me activates when users search for either type of service. For example, if you're looking for a mechanic, the feature will ask for details about the service you need, your vehicle's make and model, and your availability for a visit, before contacting the shop. You'll also need to provide your contact information (specifically your phone number and email) so the AI can update you on its progress.

      Microsoft has announced significant changes for iPhone users in Windows. In a recent blog post for Windows Insider, the company revealed that iPhone users will soon be able to access their phones directly from the Start menu. A special widget next to the Start menu will show notifications, battery status, recent contacts, connection status, and more once your phone is connected.

      To use this feature, you must have the latest Windows 11 preview build from the Dev and Beta channels and be a Windows Insider. Additionally, you need to update the Phone Link app to version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, have a Microsoft account, and own a PC that supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft has stated that PCs running Pro Education or Education SKUs are not supported. Even if this doesn’t apply to you, the update is being rolled out gradually, so it might take some time to reach your PC if you don’t already have it.

      Perplexity has announced the rollout of its new agentic AI for Android devices, named Perplexity Assistant, which can perform multi-step tasks on behalf of the user.

      "We are excited to launch the Perplexity Assistant to all Android users," said Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas in a post on X. "This marks a shift for Perplexity from an answer engine to a fully integrated assistant capable of interacting with other apps and completing basic tasks for you."