Microsoft Tests ‘Hey Copilot’ Voice Activation in Windows
Hey there, fellow developers and AI enthusiasts! Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a coding session, hands deep in the keyboard, and thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could just talk to my computer and have it do my bidding?” Well, it seems Microsoft has been reading our minds—or at least our forums.
Introducing ‘Press to Talk’ for Copilot
Microsoft is rolling out a nifty feature called ‘Press to Talk’ for Copilot on Windows. This allows you to interact with Copilot using your voice, all without lifting your hands off the keyboard. How’s that for multitasking?
How Does It Work?
It’s as simple as holding down the Alt + Spacebar keys for two seconds. A microphone icon will appear on your screen, signaling that Copilot is ready to listen. Once you’re done chatting, press the Esc key, and Copilot will gracefully bow out. If you go silent for a few seconds, Copilot will take the hint and end the conversation automatically. No awkward goodbyes necessary.
Enabling ‘Press to Talk’
By default, this feature is turned off. But fear not, enabling it is a breeze:
- Open the Copilot app.
- Click on your profile icon.
- Select ‘Settings’.
- Toggle the ‘Press and hold Alt + Spacebar to quickly talk to Copilot’ option to the ‘On’ position.
And just like that, you’re ready to command your AI assistant with the power of your voice.
Why Should You Care?
Imagine you’re knee-deep in code, and you need to look up a function or debug an error. Instead of breaking your flow to type out a query, you can now ask Copilot aloud. It’s like having a coding buddy who’s always there to help, minus the coffee breaks.
Potential Hiccups
As with any new feature, there might be a few bumps along the road. Some users have reported seeing a “Something went wrong” message when trying to use ‘Press to Talk’. But hey, that’s what being an early adopter is all about, right? Rest assured, Microsoft is likely ironing out these kinks as we speak.
Final Thoughts
While ‘Press to Talk’ isn’t exactly the ‘Hey Copilot’ wake word we’ve been dreaming of, it’s a step in the right direction. Who knows? Maybe in the near future, we’ll be able to summon Copilot with just our voice, no keyboard shortcuts required. Until then, happy coding, and may your bugs be few and your commits be many!
