Microsoft Copilot+ Update: Real-Time Translation & Live Captions for Intel/AMD

If you’ve been itching to see what Microsoft’s futuristic-sounding "Copilot+" project has in store, you’re in for some exciting updates. Microsoft is closing out the year 2024 with one last major feature-packed build for Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel. This latest rollout gives Intel and AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs access to significant new features: real-time translation and live captions. But what does this mean for you as a Windows enthusiast? Let’s dive deep.

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Welcome, Intel and AMD, to the Copilot+ Family​

Until recently, if you wanted a PC equipped with Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot+ features, Qualcomm-powered Snapdragon processors were your sole option. Now, the Copilot+ ecosystem is expanding to include both Intel and AMD architectures, making these features much more accessible to a broader Windows audience. This is huge news! Why? Because this expansion paves the way for better hardware compatibility and means more people can get a taste of what Microsoft’s AI capabilities can do.
The latest Windows 11 update—Build 26120.2705—brings this expanded support into living rooms, home offices, and workspaces everywhere, ensuring Intel Core and AMD Ryzen processor users can enjoy advanced AI-driven utilities like real-time translation and live captioning.

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What’s New and Why It Matters​

The updated build brings some impressive enhancements for AMD and Intel systems under the Copilot+ banner. Let’s dissect the standout features and their importance.

1. Live Captions - Breaking Down Language Barriers​

• What is it?
  Live captions have been making strides for accessibility, helping users visualize spoken dialogue as it happens, whether in video calls, recorded presentations, or even during entertainment playback. The new feature now goes well beyond English—it adds the ability to translate speech on the fly in real-time.
• Supported Languages:
  This upgrade covers 44 major languages including Arabic, Bulgarian, Korean, Japanese, German, and French (among others), converting them into English captions on the fly.
• Why it Matters:
  Imagine you’re sitting in a global video conference. Your partner starts launching into detail about a proposal—in Norwegian. With live caption translation enabled, you’ll instantly receive the breakdown in English, without delays or awkward misunderstandings. This is seamless communication in action.

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2. Real-Time Translation – Communicate Without Borders​

• What is it?
  Real-time translation allows direct conversion of spoken language during video calls, sessions, or media playback. Unlike classic subtitles or offline translation apps, this AI-driven capability processes and relays everything live.
• Who Can Use It?
  At the moment, English serves as the primary language for this translation rollout, meaning translations work into English wherever you encounter multilingual content.
• Compatibility Enhancements:
  Snapdragon users had limited support for these features earlier, but this update opens the gate for Intel Core Ultra (200V series) processors and AMD Ryzen-based systems. Meaning both the red-and-blue chipset camps (AMD and Intel) are finally on the same cutting-edge AI train.

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3. Step-by-Step for Setting up These Features​

To experience these new updates, you need to ensure your PC is ready for action. Here are the steps to make sure everything runs smoothly:

• Update Your Drivers:
  Copilot+ PCs rely heavily on the latest hardware drivers for processing machine learning (AI) tasks. Make sure you head to Windows Update to install AMD’s updated Ryzen chipset drivers or Intel’s new NPU driver.
• Enable Real-Time Features:
  Step into Settings > Windows Update, and toggle the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option. Afterward, manually hit “Check for updates” for final installation.
• Download from Partners:
  If you want bleeding-edge drivers before they're rolled into Windows Update, visit AMD or Intel's driver portals directly!
• Check Known Issues:
  Microsoft has noted that the translation and caption features might still have some hiccups. Currently, Chinese (Simplified) caption support is still limited to Snapdragon devices, for instance.

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Why Intel and AMD Integration Changes the Game​

Here’s why this is a breathtaking leap: Processor manufacturers like AMD and Intel historically haven't been directly associated with native AI features like NPUs (Neural Processing Units), but we’re now seeing hardware-specific software optimization enter the spotlight. Intel rocked the boat with its Core Ultra processors, which feature an integrated NPU chip—allowing real-time, heavy processing to happen without hampering everyday PC performance. Similarly, AMD's Ryzen lineup has steadily incorporated AI-friendly accelerators that smooth out tasks previously limited to Snapdragon.

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What About Snapdragon? Where Does It Stand?​

Let's not forget Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, the OG champion behind Copilot+ functionality. Microsoft hasn't left Snapdragon users in the dust—real-time translation has received language add-ons, now including Chinese (Simplified). As more processors join the Copilot+ ecosystem, Microsoft is fine-tuning Qualcomm compatibility alongside.

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What We Think​

The inclusion of real-time translation and expanded live captions into Intel and AMD hardware transforms these processors into real productivity boosters. Whether you’re attending global conferences, streaming foreign media, or simply collaborating on cross-border projects, this technology levels the playing field for personal and professional communication.
But this is just the start! Looking ahead, as Microsoft refines Copilot+ for broader adoption and more chipsets, we can anticipate even more incredible AI-powered utilities coming down the pipeline.

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Up Next: What’s on the 2025 Horizon for Copilot+?​

These Insiders-only features are spreading rapidly, suggesting the official release won’t be far off. As Cortana and simpler AI assistants fade to black, Copilot+ represents Microsoft’s competitive edge in creating AI-native operating systems. The big question remains: Will we start to see integration beyond translation? Asking Copilot to summarize books in real-time or merge Microsoft 365 apps into video stream analysis feels tantalizingly close.
Your move, Microsoft. This is shaping up to be the best Windows AI overhaul yet!

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Quick Recap:​

Here's a quick recap of all the juicy updates for Windows 11 Build 26120.2705:

• Real-time translation and live captions finally come to AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.
• 44 languages supported for translation into English.
• Expanded support for Intel Core Ultra NPUs and AMD Ryzen systems.
• Snapdragon devices get limited but meaningful upgrades too (Chinese Simplified live captioning).

Stay tuned on WindowsForum.com, where we'll continue to dive into the latest in Windows 11 development and Microsoft’s AI innovations.
So, what do you think of these updates? Excited to see AI features truly embrace all the major processor families? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s discuss how Copilot+ might reshape your workflow!

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Source: Windows Central More Copilot+ features enter testing for Intel and AMD PCs