cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/8149733
Andrew Cunningham (arstechnica.com) - Jan 4, 2024 8:01 am UTC Writes:
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.
We asked Microsoft if a Copilot key would be required on OEM PCs going forward; the company told us that the key isn’t mandatory now, but that it expects Copilot keys to be required on Windows 11 keyboards “over time.” Microsoft often imposes some additional hardware requirements on major PC makers that sell Windows on their devices, beyond what is strictly necessary to run Windows itself.
Read Microsoft is adding a new key to PC keyboards for the first time since 1994
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I agree, but the US DoJ doesn’t.
Alt, CTRL, SHIFT isnt enough?
Plus the stupid Windows key.
Yeah that’s definitely some crappy wInDoWs bs.
Microsoft has previously implemented support for a dedicated emoji key, an Office key, a Cortana key, and now there’s an option for a Copilot key. Of course MS is investing heavily into AI for its next version of Windows so manufacturers may want to jump on board and swap out the menu/right Windows key for a Copilot one, but they’ve never required new keys (after the introduction of the super key, I suppose) and I doubt they ever will.
I’m not sure what “beyond what is strictly necessary to run Windows” means. There is a special program manufacturers can opt into that’ll lock down the bootloader so it can only boot Windows (good for security in office environments, not great for consumers for obvious reasons) but “bare minimum” is a terrible standard to reference. I remember when manufacturers used to ship bare minimum Vista capable machines, and I don’t think anyone enjoyed the supposed freedom from restrictions those came with.
Microsoft increased the baseline so Windows isn’t as shitty an experience. Windows Hello and Bitlocker without passwords will now Just Work, you don’t need tof figure out what version your fTPM is. CPU vulnerability mitigations for SPECTRE can now be applied without having to worry about a 30% slowdown for 7th gen Intel and below. You could run Windows without a TPM and you could run Windows on older hardware, but you’ll basically be running Windows in “broken but working around it” mode all the time.
For Linux users, this is a good development. Now you’ll have yet another key to bind shortcuts to, or to reconfigure as they key you expected on older keyboard layouts. There are keyboard without winkeys (Apple keyboards, bespoke mechanical keyboards, etc.) but I don’t know why you’d want one. A lot of software is designed to use the Windows key for easy access (or “super key” if you’re on Linux) so you’d only be adding the burden of having to remap your keys/rebind your keyboard shortcuts. Someone who really cares can buy one of those Tux key caps/keyboards so you don’t have a Windows key in sight.