Technology

  Microsoft Tests App Ads in the Windows 11 Start Menu Microsoft is testing a new feature that would add ads for Microsoft Store apps to the Start Menu on Windows 11. The ads would appear in the "Recommended" section, which currently surfaces suggested apps and files. A/B Testing download This test is currently only being offered to a limited number of users in the US on the Windows Insider Beta Channel. It is also only being shown on non-commercial PCs. This suggests that Microsoft is still trying to decide how best to implement app ads in Windows 11, and it is possible that the feature may not be rolled out to all users. Opting Out of Ads Users who are part of the test will be able to opt out of seeing the ads. However, it is not clear how this will be done. Microsoft has not yet said whether there will be a way to disable app ads entirely, or if users will only be able to hide individual ads. Impact on Windows 11 It is too early to say what impact app ads will have on Wind...

  How Spotify's AI is Getting to Know You In the age of big data, companies are constantly looking for new ways to personalize our experiences. Spotify, the world's leading music streaming service, is no exception. The company has been using artificial intelligence (AI) for years to recommend music to its users. But Spotify's ambitions go beyond simply suggesting new songs and artists. The company is now developing AI that can understand our moods and emotions, and use that information to create truly personalized listening experiences. The Challenges of Music Recommendation One of the biggest challenges in music recommendation is balancing familiarity and novelty. Users want to hear songs they know and love, but they also want to be introduced to new music. Spotify's AI takes into account a variety of factors when making recommendations, including a user's listening history, demographics, and even the time of day. How Spotify's AI Works download Spotify's A...