Microsoft is adding a new key to PC keyboards

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Microsoft pushed throughout 2023 to add generative AI capabilities to its software, even extending its new Copilot AI assistant to Windows 10 late last year. Now, those efforts to transform PCs at a software level is extending to the hardware: Microsoft is adding a dedicated Copilot key to PC keyboards, adjusting the standard Windows keyboard layout for the first time since the Windows key first appeared on its Natural Keyboard in 1994.

The Copilot key will, predictably, open up the Copilot generative AI assistant within Windows 10 and Windows 11. On an up-to-date Windows PC with Copilot enabled, you can currently do the same thing by pressing Windows + C. For PCs without Copilot enabled, including those that aren't signed into Microsoft accounts, the Copilot key will open Windows Search instead (though this is sort of redundant, since pressing the Windows key and then typing directly into the Start menu also activates the Search function).

A quick Microsoft demo video shows the Copilot key in between the cluster of arrow keys and the right Alt button, a place where many keyboards usually put a menu button, a right Ctrl key, another Windows key, or something similar. The exact positioning, and the key being replaced, may vary depending on the size and layout of the keyboard.
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No thanks.
 
I would like to use Copilot offline if this were to be a key on a keyboard. It's not like the Windows button that is specifically set up to reach apps, files, and searches faster.
 
Must have big things planned if they want to dedicate a key to it on the keyboard. Don’t recall them adding a key for Bing or Cortana or anything like that in the past.
 
Don't need it.
 
I hope it is possible to easily disable the Copilot button on keyboards with a Copilot button in Windows.

I would most likely not use Windows Copilot on my home computers because I don't need to generate content with AI.
 
So they killed AI Cortana's PLOT and replaced her with this copilot ai. While I don't need any Windows AI or key at least cortana has sexy PLOT lol
 
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Read from tweaktown:

Currently, the Copilot AI is free, but that might change if some hidden code that Android Authority unearthed (via TechRadar) turns out to indicate the direction Microsoft is going to head in.

The code is for a 'Copilot Pro' in Edge which is paywalled and requires a subscription. The text provided says the paid version has the following benefits:

"Get the latest AI models, priority access for quick answers, and high-quality image creation with Copilot Pro."

Of course, right now, the free version of Copilot offers the latest ChatGPT engine and top-level image creation capabilities, so the assumption is that down the line, Microsoft is going to introduce this Pro version which will snaffle that functionality.

Presumably, the free Copilot will be one step behind with its ChatGPT engine, as well as lagging with image creation skills. Also, Copilot Pro users will be prioritized for quicker replies to queries - though whether that means Copilot free will be slower than it is now is anyone's guess.
 
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