Microsoft seemingly has a hard time figuring out what is the best approach to integrate its Copilot AI into the Windows operating system, as the third iteration of the implementation is now a “native version” that supersedes the web app, of which replaced the original sidebar design that functions more akin to a digital assistant than a mere chatbot.
There’s one huge caveat, however – it’s not actually “native” as Microsoft claims to be, as the new version of the Copilot app (currently available to Windows Insiders) is just the same web app packaged in a slightly more integrated form with a distinct interface.
“Native” Copilot App
Below is the comparison of three versions of the Copilot UI (slide to view more):
Strictly speaking, the original sidebar implementation would’ve been the true “native” version since that was completely integrated into the system (though it still required internet to function), and you can open or collapse by pressing the same Copilot key, which you can’t on the current Progressive Web App (PWA) version. In its PWA form, pressing the Copilot key simply opens a duplicate window that loads the same copilot.microsoft.com webpage.
The new “native” implementation also gains yet another shortcut key to access it: there’s the Copilot key on new laptops, and then there’s the Win+C, but now you get another one – Alt+Space. In fact, Microsoft even acknowledged that the latest shortcut key has the potential to collide with existing shortcut keys on certain applications, to which it says the app’s input will be prioritized. If you’re one of those power users who swear by PowerToys, be aware that PowerToys Run already uses Alt+Space, so best double-check if the new update causes shortcut issues.
In any case, calling up the new app will still load the same webpage packed inside the compacted user interface, and all functions are otherwise identical. As such, you most likely still can’t tell the chatbot to perform some system-level functions on your behalf like the original implementation could.
Pokdepinion: Same thing, different look – right?
