Microsoft's 2025 plan: Copilot+ for all Surface devices sparks debate
- Microsoft has reverted Copilot from a Progressive Web App to a native application experience.
- The updated Copilot includes a new taskbar UI and a keyboard shortcut, but conflicts may arise with other apps using the same shortcut.
- Microsoft is set to enhance its Surface portfolio with Copilot+ capabilities in 2025.
In recent months, Microsoft has been making significant changes to its Copilot feature, particularly on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. The company is reverting Copilot from a Progressive Web App to a more native application experience, which includes a newly designed taskbar UI and a keyboard shortcut. Users can trigger the quick view UI of Copilot, which overlays above other applications, using the Alt + Space shortcut. However, this decision may cause conflicts with other applications that utilize the same keyboard shortcut. Copilot has been evolving since its introduction in Windows 11, which initially featured it as an integrated sidebar tool. The shift to its current form, announced earlier, aims to enhance user experience despite concerns over limitations compared to its initial capabilities. Concurrently, Microsoft has set ambitious goals for its Surface product lineup, planning to introduce devices with Copilot+ capabilities, which integrate AI features, as early as 2025. The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 were introduced as the first devices in this new category, focusing on enhanced performance and capabilities powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X SoCs. Future devices, including updated models for Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, are expected to come outfitted with the latest Intel Lunar Lake chips, likely giving users improved performance. Microsoft is also rumored to be planning an 11-inch mini Surface Laptop in its 2025 lineup. The overall goal is to align more of the Surface portfolio under the Copilot+ umbrella, greatly enhancing its integration with advanced AI functionalities for users. As Microsoft heads into 2025, these developments signify a long-term commitment to blending AI technology with their Surface devices, demonstrating their vision for connected and smart computing experiences. The first quarter of 2025 is anticipated to be a significant launch period for new Surface devices, though exact dates remain unclear as the rollout timeline evolves.