Technology

• Microsoft is testing AI-powered search for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs.
• The new feature lets users find local files using casual language.
• Microsoft is also testing AI-powered 'Click to Do' rewriting tools.

Microsoft is testing an AI-powered search feature for Windows 11 that promises to end the days of organizing and naming your files well to find them later. Currently only available to testers with Copilot+ PCs, this new search tool uses semantic indexing to locate files with a conversational twist.

So, instead of wracking your brain for precise filenames, you can now type casual queries like, “Where’s that presentation I made last week?” With any luck, the AI will find it.

The feature works across Settings, File Explorer, and the taskbar, covering standard file formats for images, documents, and spreadsheets. Since it relies on built-in AI models, there is no need for an internet connection. That said, the search will only work in locations you’ve chosen to index. You can index everything by switching to the new "enhanced" mode, but that might require more trust in Microsoft than is comfortable.

Still, for those who feel their digital lives are scattered across desktops, downloads, and who-knows-where, the feature is definitely going to be helpful, even if it's limited to the computer for now. That means you can't search your cloud-stored OneDrive files yet, though Microsoft says that capability is on the way. Still, if you’re not on a Copilot Plus machine, you’re out of luck for now.

Copilot+

The feature is a logical extension of Microsoft’s AI agenda, which aims to weave AI tools across the company's products. On Copilot+ PCs, those tools include other features undergoing testing, like Click to Do, which lets users perform AI-powered tasks with a simple keyboard-and-mouse shortcut. You just highlight a chunk of text, hold the Windows key, and click to access a menu of options, including “Rewrite” and the grammar-correcting “Refine.”

Microsoft’s AI ambitions are clearly all about making life easier for people, provided you’ve invested in the proper hardware. Shifting from rigid commands to a more human approach has obvious appeal. The days of typing exact filenames or endless keywords could be numbered. And it's a relatively small step from helping find your PowerPoint deck to helping you write it.

Whether this is the killer app that gets people to buy a Copilot+ PC as Microsoft wants is still debatable. But if it can save you from renaming files with “final_final_v2” for the millionth time, it might just be worth it.

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The order alleges that the government infringed on US citizens' free speech "under the guise of combatting 'misinformation,' 'disinformation,' and 'malinformation.'"

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,313 for Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Aside from the possible introduction of artificial general intelligence (AGI), AI agents, autonomous processes that you can instruct to perform complex tasks for you on your computer, will be perhaps the biggest new AI feature in 2025. Agents could be essential for turning your mobile phone into a true AI assistant, capable of doing whatever you ask it without you needing to get involved.

OpenAI has been teasing us with the release of its first AI agent, called Operator, for a while now, but the latest code leak suggests that it could arrive very soon and on the Mac.

A new leak on X from Tibor Blaho claims to have revealed evidence that OpenAI’s Operator agent is coming to the ChatGPT Mac app. Tobor has discovered hidden options to define shortcuts for the desktop launcher to “Toggle Operator” and “Force Quit Operator,” which might indicate that you might need a quick way to shut it down if it gets out of control!

Confirmed - the ChatGPT macOS desktop app has hidden options to define shortcuts for the desktop launcher to "Toggle Operator" and "Force Quit Operator" https://t.co/rSFobi4iPN pic.twitter.com/j19YSlexASJanuary 19, 2025

Tobor also claims to have found code in the browser version of ChatGPT that references Operator with references to an “Operator System Card Table,” “Operator Research Eval Table,” and “Operator Refusal Rate Table.” The last entry indicates that perhaps the Operator fails to perform the tasks it is asked to do enough to require a refusal rate.

OpenAI website already has references to Operator/OpenAI CUA (Computer Use Agent) - "Operator System Card Table", "Operator Research Eval Table" and "Operator Refusal Rate Table"Including comparison to Claude 3.5 Sonnet Computer use, Google Mariner, etc.(preview of tables… pic.twitter.com/OOBgC3ddkUJanuary 20, 2025

Automating daily tasks

Recently, one of the founders of OpenAI, Wojciech Zaremba, slammed rival Anthropic in a post on X for releasing its AI agent without the necessary safety precautions in place. His post read:

“Anthropic — just released a computer-using agent without any safety mitigations. I can only imagine the negative reactions if OpenAI made a similar release”.

Where does the gap between perception and reality on AGI company safety come from?https://t.co/hu2UBxwkSW — Elon is very vocal about safety, but so far, no one at https://t.co/hu2UBxwkSW works on safety.Anthropic — just released a computer-using agent without any safety…December 14, 2024

It's an AI agent's ability to integrate into your daily computer tasks that makes it such a big step forward for AI and has the potential to change how we interact with our devices entirely. Just imagine if you didn’t have to book hotel rooms yourself, pay bills, or even write code.

Obviously, a lot of work is going to need to be done before people will trust an AI agent to perform such tasks autonomously, and privacy will be a key issue.

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• President Trump has signed an executive order to introduce a new advisory group
• The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will be spearheaded by Elon Musk
• The department is tasked with modernizing government software and digital infrastructure

The newly-inaugurated President Trump has signed a slew of executive orders after being sworn in, including announcing the US Digital services (USDS) will be renamed as the US DOGE Services (also the USDS).

The advisory group known as DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) has been tasked with restoring, "competence and effectiveness to our federal government," Trump confirmed in his inaugural speech.

DOGE has already made its first efficiency cut in its co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy, who was previously tipped to join Tesla CEO Elon Musk in heading up the department, but sources have since announced he will instead run for Governor of Ohio.

Not quite a department

To create an official federal executive department, a President must introduce an Act of Congress, so this newly created group doesn’t have the powers of an executive department - which would be required to carry out the reorganization and extensive job and budget cuts proposed by Musk and Ramaswamy.

The executive order instead established plans for "software modernization" to advance government network infrastructure and IT systems, as well giving the USDS access to "unclassified" agency records, IT and software systems "consistent with law".

As well as modernization plans, the executive order has created a temporary organization, the US DOGE Service Temporary Organization, set to terminate on July 4, 2026, which will look to advance Trump’s "18-month DOGE agenda."

Musk has previously suggested that DOGE will facilitate $2 trillion in cuts by downsizing the workforce and reducing waste, although experts have warned this would not be possible.

Three lawsuits have been filed in federal court since the executive order was signed, alleging that the department violates transparency requirements, as well as emphasizing the lack of balance in its membership, and proper advisory committee procedures.

Via TechCrunch

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• Getac ZX10 rugged slate is aimed at professionals working in challenging outdoorenvironments
• It uses a Qualcomm CPU with a NPU, making it ready for AI workloads
• It has hot swappable batteries and is IP66 certified - but you can't use it underwater

Rugged phones and tablets are increasingly providing features beyond just durability. Some rugged devices include thermal scanners, camping lights and even laser projectors, while many now come with giant batteries that can last for weeks between charges.

Getac, which has been making rugged computer products for over 30 years, has unveiled its latest tablet, the ZX10, a 10-inch fully rugged Android device built specifically for professionals who work in tough environments, so it’s all about strength and reliability rather than non-essential features.

Designed for industries like public safety, utilities, and logistics, the tablet is built to last with MIL-STD-810H and IP66 certifications, protecting it from drops, dust, and water. It works in temperatures from -29°C to 63°C, and in heavy rain (but not underwater) and weighs only 906g, making it the lightest rugged tablet of its size.

Hot swappable batteries

The ZX10 is powered by Qualcomm’s QCS6490 processor and NPU, which should provide strong performance and support for advanced AI tasks without using too much power. It comes with 8GB LPDDR5 memory and up to 256GB of storage. The bright 1,000 nits LumiBond screen can be used in sunlight, rain, or with gloves. There is also an option for a stylus and digitizer for more accurate input.

Connectivity is provided in the form of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, and it has dual SIM support (Nano SIM and eSIM) and optional dual-band GPS for quick data transfer and precise location tracking. Other options include 4G LTE, 5G Sub-6, NFC, and barcode scanning.

The ZX10 comes with two batteries that can be swapped during use to avoid downtime, and customers can choose a single-battery setup for use in vehicles or a high-capacity battery.

Running Android 13, the ZX10 is Android Enterprise Recommended, with security updates and feature improvements for five years. Getac says it will support three Android OS upgrades for the device.

“For field-based professionals, device weight can have a significant impact on productivity, particularly when carrying and/or operating it for extended periods of time,” says James Hwang, President of Getac Technology Corporation.

“Not only is the next generation ZX10 the lightest 10-inch fully rugged tablet currently available on the market, but its powerful combination of AI-ready performance, extensive configurability, fully rugged reliability, and intuitive Android OS makes it one of the most versatile as well.”

The ZX10 works with Getac’s Essentials Suite for improved productivity and it is available to buy now, with pricing available on request.

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• Leak teases Asus Tarius VR headset
• Tarius will boast eye-tracking and high-end displays
• Likely to be one of the first third-party Horizon OS headsets to ship

Since the announcement that Asus, Lenovo, and Xbox would be partnering with Meta to create third-party Horizon OS VR headsets – that’s the operating system Meta’s Quest devices use – we’ve heard next to nothing about them, leading me to worry that maybe the plans had fallen through like the Meta-LG Collab seemingly did.

Thankfully, that does not appear to be the case, at least for Asus. We finally have our first details about its Tarius Horizon OS headset – and it’s already proving exactly why these collaborations need to happen.

Part of the Asus ROG family of devices (suggesting it’ll have a heavy gaming focus) Tarius is reportedly the device’s codename, with the details being leaked by Lunayian – who was spot-on with Meta Quest 3S leaks. Luna adds that Tarius will include eye-tracking and face-tracking, and it will either use micro-OLED or QD-LCD with local dimming screens – presumably to achieve high contrast for stunning visuals.

NEW: Details on the upcoming ASUS ROG VR headset running Meta Horizon OS.It is codenamed Tarius, and will likely be one of the first 3P Horizon OS HMDs to ship.It is planned to include Eye Tracking and Face Tracking. The displays will be QD-LCD with local dimming or µOLED. pic.twitter.com/K5pYxcBK4hJanuary 12, 2025

While this isn’t a lot to go on, these specs alone would suggest the ROG headset will be a high-end (and high-priced) VR gaming headset. You don’t see eye-tracking on low-end machines, and the same goes for those displays – which could rival the impressive screens we got from the Apple Vision Pro.

As always, remember that leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt as nothing is official yet, though Luna’s track record means these leaks are still well worth our attention.

A high-end hybrid?

Unless the Asus Tarius headset packs some kind of next-gen chipset rather than the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 we have in the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, its displays could be overkill for standalone experiences. That said, they would be ideal for PCVR – powered by a high-end Asus PC like the 5090-packing laptops it showcased at CES 2025.

The HTC Vive Focus Vision (Image credit: Future)

This could mean Tarius aims to do what the HTC Vive Focus Vision tried and (unfortunately) failed to: be a full-on VR headset hybrid for both superb standalone and PCVR.

Thanks to Horizon OS, Tarius already has a significant leg-up on the standalone front over the Focus Vision thanks to the operating system's best-in-class suite of software exclusives.

If it can also manage its weight and comfort – and throw in features like DisplayPort connectivity for a lossless video connection to a PC – Tarius could be the high-end hybrid headset we’ve been waiting for.

And this is precisely what I wanted from these collaborations.

A golden age of VR approaches

Meta’s more mass-market Quest headsets are fantastic, but because they have to be a middle-of-the-road product to appeal to as many as possible, they can’t specialize in appealing to one specific segment, like high-end gamers.

This means these specialized customers have had to make do either with pricey headsets that lack Horizon OS and therefore feel decidedly second-place or a Quest headset, which is great value for money but isn’t outputting the visuals they want and deserve – essentially forcing us to choose software or hardware superiority.

Tarius is already shaping up as the ideal VR enthusiast device as it looks set to deliver in terms of both software and hardware. There’s plenty more we still need to learn about it from a price and specs perspective before we can declare it a VR champion, but if Asus can stick the landing its device could rocket to the top of our best VR headsets list – and I can’t wait to find out more about it.

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• Yes, Happy Plugs Joy is this li'l speaker's real name
• As well as (Grogu-like) green, it's available in baby blue, pink, and black
• It's out now, priced at just £39.99 / $49.99 (around AU$80)

In the completely fictitious hygge lifestyle I like to imagine I lead, this speaker would be a perfect fit. It's the life in which I wake up naturally with the sun, drink warm lemon-water with turmeric from a handmade stoneware mug, meditate for 20 minutes, write a gratitude journal, perform a seven-minute workout, shower, slip on a few items from my perfectly-pressed spring capsule wardrobe, add a pair of fresh fluffy thick socks and glide towards my upcycled driftwood desk to calmly begin the working day, with a refreshed and positive attitude. And this delightful little speaker can be part of that discussion; it is pinned to the mental mood-board I like to call 'Sorting My Life Out'.

In reality, a grande Starbucks cup has curiously welded itself to my desk following a stint of overtime late last week, where it remains unmoved next to some leftover Christmas chocolates and at least six post-it notes with headers like 'DON'T FORGET' double-underlined, and 'MUST DO BY 25TH!!' to ease me into my day. Such is life. But I'd argue there's still room for this speaker – and music is always a great place to start.

What you're looking at is the Happy Plugs Joy – yes, that is really its name. It's not just happy. It's not just joy. It's the sum of the two, plus… plugs. In my imaginary aspirational hygge lifestyle, I'd sit at my upcycled driftwood desk, pluck up my smartphone (with the tactile woolen cover I crocheted mindfully that definitely isn't pleather and shedding blue flecks all over the apartment) and stream some niche acoustic covers to this speaker. I would do this while I waited for my lemon-water to cool, so as not to shock my body unnecessarily.

Happy Plugs Joy in your life

I'd like the green finish because it reminds me of Grogu, the Yoda-adjacent Force-sensitive character from The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. But whichever option you pick, this is a pebble-esque speaker that wants to blend in with your delicious taupes, your natural textures, your recycled throws.

It also lasts for eight hours on a single charge and weighs just 192g, so you can throw it in your waxed canvas satchel, jump on your bicycle and head to a nearby mountain stream, to read that paperback you've been promising yourself you'll get to since 2017.

It's got Bluetooth 5.3 onboard and, thanks to its IPX4 rating, it'll survive a light shower too – and wouldn't it look great on Instagram on a cloudy day, maybe next to that gorgeous old fountain pen you were given, a stainless steel cafetiere and the cryptic crossword you're trying to finish?

And it doesn't cost a lot to get the look. The Happy Plugs Joy (or JOY, as it's styled in Happy Plugs' marketing) is available now for just £39.99 / $49.99 (or around AU$80), which makes it cheaper than almost every single one of the best Bluetooth speakers we currently recommend, and the same price as the likeable-but-not-as-cute JBL Clip 5. Will the Happy Plugs option take its place? I'm not sure yet. But we're working on reviewing it in full, so when we know how good it sounds, so shall you.

Right, I'm off to recycle that Starbucks cup…

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• Trump orders government workers to return to office full-time
• Federal workers will have weakened job protections
• Resignations and workforce changes are expected

US government officials have been mandated to return to the office full-time under the new Trump leadership, marking an end to hybrid and flexible working setups.

Tech companies have broadly implemented office-working policies, ranging from three to five days per week, in recent years following pandemic-induced remote options, and it’s now the turn of the US government to follow suit.

Trump’s new policy, actioned on the day of his inauguration, will require US federal workers to return to in-person office working on a full-time basis.

Trump issues full-time RTO to government workers

A short statement reads: “Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary.”

The new President has also reinstated the so-called Schedule F “immediately” and “with full force and effect,” which effectively weakens job protections for civil servants.

Critics argue that the move could help Trump replace certain employees with a more loyal workforce. The National Treasury Employee Union, which represents federal government employees, has already taken to a federal court in Washington to sue Trump (via Reuters).

Moreover, a hiring freeze and the formation of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed up by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will further affect the size and makeup of the federal government.

Musk is also a fan of in-person working – in a statement to Tesla employees, he claimed remote work was “no longer acceptable.” Voluntary resignations across government agencies are predicted as a result of the latest changes led by Trump and, possibly, Musk.

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• Donald Trump signed a new executive order on his first day as US President
• The order revokes a previous executive order, that demanded thorough research on AI tools before release
• This is in line with his presidential campaign

Day one of Donald Trump’s presidency has been marked by over 200 executive orders. The returning US president has used his executive power to sign in a number of drastic policy changes, among which is one regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Back in 2023, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14110, titled "Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence." The directive’s goal was to establish a national framework for governing AI in the United States.

It mandated developers of AI systems, posing risks to national security, economic stability, or public health and safety, should conduct rigorous safety tests and share the results with the federal government before public deployment.

The problem and promise of AI

The goal was to make sure potential risks of new AI tools were analyzed, before the tools were given to the general public.

Furthermore, the order directed federal agencies to create guidelines for the responsible use of AI, including measures to prevent algorithmic discrimination and protect civil rights. It also called for the development of standards to identify AI-generated content, aiming to address concerns related to misinformation and deepfakes.

On January 20, the first day of President Trump being in the Oval Office, he revoked this executive order, Reuters reports. The move was in line with what Trump promised during his campaign, as the Republican party said it “supported AI development rooted in free speech and human flourishing.”

Via Reuters

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• Sony and NCSoft's Horizon Zero Dawn MMO has reportedly been canceled
• The MMO was codenamed 'Project H' but was understood to be a Horizon spin-off
• Project H's cancelation follows just after Sony canned two unannounced live service games

Sony's Horizon Zero Dawn massively multiplayer online game (MMO) from publisher NCSoft has reportedly been canceled.

According to the South Korean publication MTN (via ResetEra), three projects that were in development at three separate studios under NCSoft were scrapped, including titles codenamed 'Pantera', 'J', and 'H'.

"It is understood that some of NCsoft's new games and live games have received a notice of decision to stop development or service as a result of a feasibility review," the report reads.

"Games under CBO Lee Seong-gu, including 'Pantera,' 'H,' and 'J,' are reportedly included in the list, raising questions about whether development of 'Pantera,' also known as 'Raise Lineage M,' will actually be halted."

Project H, in particular, has been long reported to be an MMO based on Guerrilla Games' dystopian role-playing game, Horizon Zero Dawn. It's understood that the developers working on the project have since left NCSoft, and those who didn't leave after the cancelation were moved to different company projects.

The cancelation of Project H follows just after Sony canceled two unannounced live service games, a God of War spin-off from Demons Souls' remake developer Bluepoint Games, as well as an unknown multiplayer title from Days Gone creator Bend Studio.

While NCSoft's MMO has been canceled, there is another Horizon Zero Dawn project now being worked on at Guerrilla Games, currently known as Horizon Online.

It doesn't have a release date just yet, but it's described as a cooperative game and, according to leaked screenshots and gameplay from 2023 (via Reddit) will feature a more cartoon-like art style different than the hyper-realistic graphics we're used to.

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• Threat actor FutureSeeker posts new thread on BreachForums
• They claim to have stolen sensitive data from The North Pole Company
• The gift basket firm is yet to respond to the claims

The North Pole Company, a Canadian gift basket delivery service, allegedly suffered a data breach in which half a million customers lost sensitive personal information.

The claim was made on BreachForums, a popular underground community where cybercriminals come to share tools, resources, and experiences, to find partners and plan future attacks.

Cybersecurity researchers from Incogni reported a threat actor using the alias FutureSeeker posted a new thread on BreachForums on January 19, offering a North Pole database to its peers.

No response yet

“Today I have uploaded the NorthPole database for you to download, thanks for reading and enjoy!” reads the thread.

The data compromised in the attack includes email addresses, phone numbers, emails, postal addresses, and full names, of exactly 520,599 people.

The North Pole Company has not yet made an official statement about the alleged breach. We have reached out and will update the article if we hear back.

The North Pole Company is a Canadian gift basket delivery service specializing in Christmas gift baskets featuring gourmet foods, wines, and festive items, aiming to be the leading provider in Canada and the United States.

FutureSeeker is a relatively unknown name in the cybercriminal community. However, if the claims end up being true, that could change. More than half a million active email addresses, together with full names and phone numbers, is more than enough information for phishing, and fraud, leaving users potentially in need of identity theft protection.

To be on the safe side, if you’ve used The North Pole Company’s services in the past couple of years, be wary of incoming email messages and phone numbers, especially from people claiming to be the company’s representatives.

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