A new Windows 11 update, rolling out starting today, integrates Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing search engine. (Microsoft Photo)

Microsoft announced an update to Windows 11 with the ability to query the company’s AI-powered Bing search chatbot directly from the desktop taskbar.

The new “typable taskbar” leverages Microsoft’s widely used PC operating system in its broader quest to chip away at Google’s dominance in online search. The move shows that the company remains determined to move ahead with its integration of the OpenAI-powered search technology despite its limitations and early stumbles.

Microsoft also previewed a new version of its Phone Link app that will let iPhone users receive and respond, via their computers, to some messages received via Apple Messages.

The new Phone Link app with iPhone integration.

It’s a key step toward bridging Windows and iOS, making it easier for iPhone users to choose Windows PCs over Apple Macs. However, the feature comes with some significant limitations, including the inability to create or reply to group messages, or send or receive media.

The new version of Phone Link will be available initially to a subset of users enrolled in the Windows Insider preview program, rolling out more broadly over time.

Microsoft says the new version of Windows 11 will be released starting today via Windows Update to users running Windows 11, version 22H2, on eligible devices. More details in this post by Microsoft’s Panos Panay.

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