Digimasters Shorts - Microsoft’s Voice-Driven Windows 12 Revolution, xAI Co-Founder Babuschkin Quits, Google Gemini Learns Your Secrets, Apple’s Creepy Home Robots Incoming

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Digimasters Shorts keeps you ahead of the curve in the fast-evolving world of technology. Hosted by Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson, this bite-sized podcast dives into the latest breakthroughs, industry shifts, and innovative trends shaping our digital future. From Microsoft's ambitious vision for AI-driven Windows experiences and Google's new features enhancing user creativity, to Apple's bold moves into home robotics and AI systems—Tune in for concise insights, breaking news, and expert analysis that keep you informed in minutes. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or an industry professional, Digimasters Shorts is your quick source for all things digital.

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Episode Transcript

Adam N2 (00:05):
Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam
Nagus

Carly W (00:09):
and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from
the digital realm.
Microsoft’s Windows Chief PavanDavuluri has revealed that the
future of Windows will featurean ambient, multi-modal
experience empowered by AI.
He explained that computing willbecome more pervasive, spanning
different form factors withvoice emerging as a crucial
input method.
The operating system will gaincontext awareness, allowing it

(00:32):
to understand what’s on thescreen and anticipate user
intent.
Users will be able to interactwith Windows through voice while
performing tasks like writing,inking, or collaborating with
others.
This marks a shift where voicecomplements traditional inputs
like mouse and keyboard,creating a triad of interaction
modes.
Davuluri also emphasized therole of cloud computing in

(00:53):
enabling smooth, seamless AIexperiences.
The OS is expected to evolveinto a more agentic platform,
integrating AI deeply ratherthan running assistants as
separate applications.
Microsoft is investing heavilyin redefining human-computer
interaction for the next fiveyears, potentially with the
launch of Windows 12.
Privacy concerns remain, asthese advancements require

(01:15):
balancing local processing withcloud data to deliver smart
functionality.
This vision aligns with broaderindustry trends, with companies
like Apple also exploringvoice-driven interfaces in
future updates.

Adam N2 (01:28):
Igor Babuschkin, co-founder of xAI alongside Elon
Musk, announced he is leavingthe artificial intelligence
startup.
In a farewell post on X,Babuschkin revealed he will
start Babuschkin Ventures,focusing on AI safety research
and advancing agentic systems.
He reflected on his journey froma CERN particle physics Ph.D.
student to building xAI from theground up.

(01:49):
Babuschkin shared two keylessons learned from Musk: to be
fearless in tackling technicalchallenges and to maintain a
strong sense of urgency.
Despite skepticism from industryveterans, the team built the
Memphis supercomputer cluster injust 122 days.
A memorable moment came late onenight when training issues were
resolved, with Musk celebratingtheir success at 4:20 a.m.

(02:11):
Babuschkin described theexperience as both intense and
bonding, calling it the mostexhilarating time of his life.
Prior to xAI, he worked atDeepMind and Open A.I, and holds
a degree from the TechnicalUniversity of Dortmund.
Neither xAI, Babuschkin, norMusk immediately responded to
requests for comment.
Babuschkin’s departure marks asignificant shift as he moves on

(02:32):
to new ventures in the evolvingAI landscape.
Google has introduced a newlearning feature for its AI
chatbot, Gemini, allowing it topersonalize interactions by
learning from pastconversations.
This update enables Gemini toremember user preferences
without being prompted,enhancing the chatbot's
responses over time.
The feature will initially rollout with the 2.5 Pro model in

(02:55):
select countries, expanding toother versions soon.
Users can disable this memoryfunction by adjusting settings
under"Personal context" in theGemini app.
For privacy-conscious users,Temporary Chats offer a way to
have conversations that aren'tsaved, similar to an incognito
browsing mode.
Gemini's ability to recallprevious interactions aligns it

(03:16):
with other AI tools like ChatG.P.T and Grok, which also use
memory to tailor experiences.
However, this personalizationcan sometimes lead to the
chatbot prioritizing inferredpreferences over direct
instructions.
Concerns remain about thestorage of sensitive or private
information despite thesecontrols.
Additionally, users will be ableto manage whether their data

(03:37):
contributes to Google'simprovement efforts by toggling
the"Keep Activity" setting.
This development reflectsongoing efforts to balance AI
personalization with userprivacy controls.

Carly W (03:48):
Google has begun rolling out a new cartoon-style
photo feature called Remixwithin its Google Photos app.
First showcased in July, Remixtransforms images into one of

four art styles (03:57):
anime, comic book, sketch, or 3D animation
similar to Pixar films.
Currently, the feature isavailable to a limited number of
users as part of a gradualglobal rollout.
Users can access Remix bytapping the plus sign in the
top-right corner of the mobileapp and selecting the Remix
option under Create.

(04:18):
After choosing a style and aphoto, the AI generates the new
image, with an option toregenerate if the result is
unsatisfactory.
This addition joins otherAI-powered tools in Google
Photos, but unlike thephoto-to-video feature, Remix
focuses solely on stylistictransformations.
The feature offers a convenientway to apply advanced AI effects

(04:38):
without uploading photos tothird-party apps.
Google has also announced anupcoming Create tab to
centralize these AI functions,though it is not broadly
available yet.
As the rollout continues, userswithout immediate access will
have to wait for their devicesto be updated.
This new feature underscoresGoogle’s ongoing commitment to
enhancing creative tools throughartificial intelligence.

(05:01):
Apple Inc.
is reportedly preparing to enterthe home robotics market with a
range of new devices planned forrelease over the next few years.
Central to this initiative is atabletop robot, described as a
virtual companion, expected tolaunch in 2027 and serve as the
cornerstone of Apple's new AIstrategy.
The device combines an iPad-likedisplay mounted on a robotic arm

(05:24):
that can swivel and repositionitself to engage users in a room
actively.
This robot can track and turntoward people speaking and aims
to enhance features likeFaceTime, including locking onto
individuals during video calls.
Apple is also exploring aniPhone-controlled joystick
feature to maneuver the robotfor better video call
interactions.
Underpinning the device is arevamped Siri assistant,

(05:46):
designed to engage usersdynamically throughout the day.
In addition to the robotic armdevice, Apple is developing a
smart speaker with a standalonedisplay, offering typical smart
home functions but withoutrobotic movement.
Both devices will operate on anew OS named Charismatic, built
around clock faces and widgets.
To power these innovations,Apple is creating a new AI

(06:09):
system called Linwood or"L.L.MSiri," which could also appear
in upcoming iPhones and iPads.
Longer-term plans include moreadvanced mobile robots, though
these are several years awayfrom release.

Don (06:21):
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