In Microsoft Ignite 2024, the company announced many updates regarding new features and products focused on improving productivity. Microsoft Ignite is an annual conference for developers, IT professionals, and partners at which Microsoft announces updates about the latest advancements in its products. This article covers the latest technology advancements and product updates that Microsoft announced at the recent Microsoft Ignite 2024.
Microsoft launches Windows 365 Link mini-PC
Microsoft 365 Link is the first fanless Cloud PC with a compact design from Microsoft. It has an ENERGY STAR certification, which means it uses less power than desktops with external monitors. All the security configurations are enabled by default and cannot be turned off, ensuring corporate data remains protected on the Microsoft Cloud.
Windows 365 Link is for organizations that have desk-based workers and are using, or are considering using, Windows 365. Windows 365 Link is well suited for enabling secure productivity in shared workspaces such as hot desks, call centers, reception desks, labs, and more.
Microsoft 365 Link is currently available in preview and will become available for purchase at $349 in April 2025 in selected markets.
Other Microsoft Ignite 2024 Highlights
Microsoft also announced Copilot Actions, a new feature that will help you automate daily tasks by inputting simple prompts. Copilot Pages is a new feature of Copilot that allows users to collaborate on a shared workspace. Now, users can prompt Copilot to create anything from interactive flowcharts to blocks of code.
Microsoft also announced Microsoft Agents, AI-powered tools designed to automate your tasks and assist you with your work. Agents can do a variety of things. For example, a Project Management Agent in Planner will help you simplify your project management workflow. Microsoft also talked about the Sharepoint Agents at Ignite 2024. These Sharepoint Agents will be available on every Sharepoint site and provide instant access to real-time information.
Copilot Studio will help users create their own agents. Microsoft also stated that creating Agents by using Copilot Studio will be pretty straightforward and as simple as creating a new Word document or a PowerPoint slide.
Copilot Analytics is a new feature that Microsoft introduced at Ignite 2024. Copilot Analytics will help organizations analyze Copilot usage in a particular business matrix. With Copilot Analytics, you can also analyze the usage of different Copilot Agents.
At Ignite 2024, Microsoft also announced Azure Local. Azure Local will enable customers to run Azure on their own infrastructure. To make Azure servers more secure, Microsoft introduced an in-house security chip, Azure integrated HSM that will be part of every new Azure server.
New features for Copilot+ PCs
The Copilot+ PCs having dedicated NPU hardware will have an improved Windows Search. This improved Windows Search will help users find files quickly, hence, providing users with a seamless workflow.
Click To Do is a new feature for Copilot+ PCs. It will be a powerful productivity tool that will assist users with tasks across applications, including summarizing any on-screen content. Currently, Microsoft is providing this feature to Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PCs before releasing it publicly.
