Windows 11’s Bing AI Expands to Google Chrome with Dark Mode, Yet Some Constraints Remain

Microsoft has made significant strides in expanding the availability of Bing.com with Bing AI to a wider audience. Initially exclusive to Microsoft Edge users, Bing AI, powered by the advanced ChatGPT-4 language model, is now being rolled out to other browsers, including Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari.

Windows 11’s Bing AI Expands

Users have started receiving pop-ups on their Windows 10 or 11 taskbars, offering them the opportunity to try Bing AI in Chrome. Notably, this version of Bing AI also comes with native dark mode support, similar to the one present in Microsoft Edge. The dark mode provides a sleek black background that matches the aesthetic of Edge’s dark theme.

Within Bing.com, users can easily switch between light and dark themes through the hamburger menu, and there is even a system default option that automatically aligns with the operating system’s preference.

However, it’s worth mentioning that Microsoft has imposed some limitations on Bing Chat capabilities in Chrome. Unlike Edge, which allows up to 30 messages per conversation and 4,000 characters per message, Chrome’s Bing AI is currently limited to five messages per conversation and 2,000 characters per message. Additionally, users may notice prompts encouraging them to explore Bing AI in Edge when accessing it through Google Chrome.

Microsoft is continuously working on improving Bing AI’s capabilities. One notable upcoming feature is “No search” or “ChatGPT-like mode,” which aims to enhance user interaction with Bing AI. Currently, Bing AI relies on traditional web searches to answer user queries, which can sometimes lead to less human-like responses. However, with the “No search” mode, Bing AI will rely more on its AI capabilities, similar to ChatGPT, and provide responses directly from its knowledge base rather than crawling the web for answers.

Recently, Microsoft updated Bing AI with visual search, incorporating OpenAI’s image recognition technology. This enables Bing AI to interpret and describe images, providing relevant answers and information related to the visual content.

It’s essential to note that Bing AI’s support for all browsers is still being gradually rolled out and is currently accessible to select users. However, according to a Microsoft source, Bing AI will become available in Chrome and Safari for everyone in the coming days or weeks.

Despite these advancements, Microsoft ensures that Bing will continue to be free for users, while the enterprise edition of Bing will operate independently, catering to specific business needs.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s efforts to expand Bing AI’s availability and introduce new features like “No search” and visual search show its commitment to enhancing user experience and providing a powerful and efficient AI-driven search engine.

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Social Tech

TikTok Denies Reports of Potential US Sale to Elon Musk

by George Mensah 2025-01-19

TikTok has categorically denied reports suggesting that its U.S. operations might be sold to billionaire Elon Musk.

This statement came in response to a Bloomberg report claiming that Chinese officials were considering selling TikTok’s U.S. business to Musk if their efforts to overturn an impending ban in the Supreme Court failed.

“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told Variety.

TikTok’s Legal Battle Over U.S. Ban

The platform is currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether the ban violates the First Amendment. On January 10, justices heard arguments, with initial indications suggesting they might uphold the ban. The restriction is set to take effect on January 19.

The ban stems from legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, allowing the government to block foreign-owned apps viewed as potential threats to national security. TikTok faces a January 19 deadline to divest its U.S. operations or risk removal from app stores across the country. Instead of complying, TikTok has chosen to challenge the law in court.

Reports of Contingency Plans

According to Bloomberg, Chinese officials are reportedly exploring alternative options, including the possibility of selling TikTok’s U.S. branch. One scenario mentioned involves Musk’s company, X (formerly Twitter), taking over TikTok’s U.S. operations in collaboration with ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company.

This speculation has drawn attention due to Musk’s perceived alignment with President-elect Donald Trump. Trump recently requested the Supreme Court delay the ban, stating his intention to address the issue diplomatically after taking office.

Broader Context and Implications

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between the U.S. and China over issues such as data security and technological influence. While TikTok has consistently denied accusations of data misuse or ties to the Chinese government, the app has become a flashpoint in broader geopolitical conflicts.

A potential sale to Musk could significantly reshape TikTok’s U.S. operations, aligning them with the vision of an entrepreneur already transforming social media under his leadership. However, TikTok’s outright dismissal of such claims indicates its commitment to maintaining its independence and fighting the ban through legal channels.

As the Supreme Court decision looms, the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for its American user base and the global tech ecosystem.

Social Tech

Why changes to the block on Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

by George Mensah 2024-10-19

Elon Musk’s platform X is preparing to overhaul its block function, breaking away from traditional social media practices. Under the new policy, blocked users will still be able to view the posts of the person who blocked them, as long as the posts are public. However, they will be restricted from liking, reposting, or replying to these posts.

Musk has previously voiced his opinion on the issue, stating, “Blocking public posts makes no sense. It needs to be replaced by a stronger mute function.” Jack Dorsey, former Twitter co-founder and CEO, also supports this approach.

Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

While Musk and Dorsey argue that blocking public posts is redundant—since anyone can access them by simply logging out—others, like Tracy Chou, founder of the anti-harassment tool Block Party, believe the block function provides an essential layer of protection. Chou stated on X, “The friction matters! Making it easier for people to engage in harmful behavior isn’t a good thing.”

In response to the proposed changes, many X users are exploring alternatives, leading to a significant rise in activity on platforms like Bluesky. Over a two-day span, Bluesky saw 1.2 million new users and climbed to the second spot in the U.S. App Store’s Social Networking category, a dramatic jump from its previous ranking of 181.

Though user spikes don’t always translate into sustained engagement, this policy shift could have more lasting effects compared to X’s previous changes, such as its rebranding from Twitter. The adjustment focuses on the rights of blocked users, potentially putting those who rely on blocking for protection at greater risk.

X’s engineering team defended the update, stating, “Currently, block can be used to hide harmful or private information. With this change, users will gain more transparency and visibility into these behaviors.”

As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, these changes may lead to a shift in user behavior, with more people seeking alternatives, potentially reshaping the social media landscape.

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Windows 11’s Bing AI Expands to Google Chrome with Dark Mode, Yet Some Constraints Remain